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Written by Sandra Wilson
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Thursday, 20 March 2008 |
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Tea has been around a long time. Myth has the beginning of tea as a beverage dating back to about 2737 B.C. in China. Although long thought to be older than beer and wine, recent research shows tea to be about as old as beer but wine, as a fermented beverage, is older. Tea is, however, older than coffee.
by SandraWilson
Tea has been around a long time. Myth has the beginning of tea as a beverage dating back to about 2737 B.C. in China. Although long thought to be older than beer and wine, recent research shows tea to be about as old as beer but wine, as a fermented beverage, is older. Tea is, however, older than coffee.
Additionally, tea is a very popular drink even if it is not yet number one in the U.S. The FAO of the UN lists the production in 2006 of tea at approximately 3.6 million tonnes. Considering how little tea it takes to actually make a cup, about an ounce depending upon the type, there is plenty to go around for all the tea lovers of the world.
Does that tea you are drinking have less caffeine than coffee? Well, that depends. A 6-ounce cup of tea can have a lot or a little. It varies based upon what kind of tea you are drinking and how long you let it steep. The most seems to be about 110 milligrams in a cup of black tea. Black tea generally has more caffeine than green tea but not always.
Tea has many benefits as well like many of the other major beverages consumed. In tea's case there are antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. There is some evidence, from studies published in such magazines as the Lancet and Phytotherapy Research, that these antioxidants in green and black tea can help prevent some cancers and fight Alzheimer's.
It doesn't matter to most people what the history or economics or health benefits of tea are. They simply drink it because it is a great, flavorful beverage. It's a good way to start a day or wind one down.
Over time, tea has not only been a drink. It has served as the basis for many ceremonies and events. You no doubt have heard of the Japanese tea ceremony in which a tea master will strive for excellence all his life. Then there is the afternoon tea that began in Great Britain by Anna, the Duchess of Bedford as a means of tiding one over from the morning breakfast till dinner which was served late at night. It developed into quite the thing to do and became part of English society.
While many parts of the world can and will disagree on many things from mode of dress to lifestyle to favorite foods, one things most will agree upon is the enjoyable cup of tea. Eastern philosophy and Western dictates may clash many times as we have seen through history, but the drinking of tea as a pleasurable experience is not one of them.
You can brew your tea in a clay pot or a floral Staffordshire teapot. You can use tea bags or loose tea. You can serve it in glass cups or the finest china., But one thing the many, many people around the world who drink tea know. Tea is irresistible.
About the Author:
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