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The Story of Tea
 
Many stories exist about the origin of tea.  Because tea is first mentioned in a Chinese story around 2700 BC, the legend around its creation is often connected to that time and place.  The second emperor of China was traveling around the Chinese Empire.  While resting, a few leaves fell off a shrub and landed into his cup of boiling drinking water.  He was intrigued by the scent, so he took a sip.  He enjoyed the taste, but also believed it had an energizing effect on him  He was so impressed by his "invention" that he began to grow the shrubs.  Over the centuries, tea grew into an art form in China.
 
Tea became known to Europeans in the late 1500's.  Like the Chinese, they believe it to be medicinal and tasty.  In the early 1600's, the East India Company markets tea as a medicinal drink, but it is so expensive (due to the great distances it traveled to get to Europe) only the wealthy can afford it.  Later that century, chests of tea are commonly given as gifts to heads of state, and tea shows up in coffee houses as a health beverage.  By 1800, tea drinking is common.  Clipper ships speed up tea transport from the East to America and Europe, thus making it more accessible and affordable.  Afternoon tea begins as an English ritual.  Tea is being sold in grocery shops by the turn of the century.  Today, it is easily available and affordable for all.
 
The following is a comparison of caffeine in tea to other caffeinated foods:
 
 
 
 
mg caffeine
per serving
Coffee (per 150 ml cup) - from roast and ground 
 
~80
Coffee (per 150 ml cup) - from instant 
 
~60
Decaffeinated Coffee (per 150 ml cup) (either roast, ground or instant)
 
~3
ea (per 150 ml cup)
 
~40
Cola (per 330 ml can)
 
~30
Plain Chocolate (50g)
 
~20











Enjoy Better Tea!