While tea has got to be one of the world’s best-loved drinks, there are so many little-known facts to discover about it!
We’re going to uncover the quirkiest and most intriguing facts about tea in our latest post.
1. It was discovered by accident
Our fun facts about tea start with its accidental origins. Way back in 2737 BC in China, Emperor Shen Nung was sitting under a tree while his servant was boiling some water.
Some leaves from the tree — the Camellia sinensis — fell into the water and the emperor decided to sample the resulting brew. It was so tasty that the drink caught on!
2. All teas come from the same plant
Whether you prefer black, green, white or oolong tea, know that they all come from the same plant, the Camellia sinensis, mentioned in Point 1.
The difference lies in how the leaves are processed. White tea is simply dried and steamed, while the other types of tea go through more stages which may include being oxidized and bruised to create the end product.
While there are four main categories of tea, there are around 1,500 types of tea within these.
3. Herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free
Herbal teas don’t come from the Camellia sinensis plant, which means they don’t contain any caffeine.
They are created using spices, herbs, flowers and fruits and provide a refreshing alternative to regular tea with many different health benefits depending on their ingredients.
Herbal teas are also known as “tisanes”.
4. Afternoon tea was invented by an English aristocrat
The ritual of afternoon tea — tea served with sweet and savoury treats — was created by Anna, the Duchess of Bedford, in the mid-nineteenth century.
In those days, dinner would be served around 8 pm, so there would be a long interval after lunch. To stave off the hunger pangs, the duchess asked for tea and a snack to be served in her rooms.
She began to invite her friends and the delicious ritual soon caught on in top English society.
5. Tea bags were created by chance
Just like the discovery of tea as an enjoyable drink, tea bags were also accidentally invented!
In 1908, Thomas Sullivan, a tea importer from New York, sent out some tea samples to his customers in sewn-up silk pouches. The recipients didn’t realise that they were supposed to empty out the contents, instead brewing the tea, bag and all, in a teapot.
This is how tea bags were also created by chance!
6. Tea offers many health benefits
There are lots of health benefits to drinking tea (1).
It contains high levels of antioxidants called polyphenols. Antioxidants fight free radicals, which cause damage to human cells, increasing the risk of diseases.
Another type of antioxidant, flavonoids, can help reduce the risk of heart disease. They do this by helping to protect you against conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity.
Tea can even help you stay mentally alert. That’s because it contains an amino acid called L-theanine and caffeine. Both these substances can help boost your ability to perform cognitive tasks related to memory and focus.
Discover the wonderful world of tea
The best way of discovering more about the wonderful world of tea is to try it yourself.
So why not browse our range of plant-based and herbal tea today and enjoy the many benefits of one of the world’s most popular drinks?
References
“10 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Black Tea”, Healthline website, 7 June 2022,
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/black-tea-benefits
