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The Origin of Tea
Tea is the national beverage of the Chinese people. Its origin traces back to “Shennong”, was recognized by “Ji Dan”, flourished during the Tang Dynasty, and reached its peak in the Song Dynasty. Chinese tea culture uniquely integrates the philosophies of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism, making it a distinct and cherished aspect of Chinese culture, known for its fragrance and rich flavor.
Origin of Tea
China is the first country in the world to discover and use tea trees. In ancient times, people discovered and utilized tea trees, as documented in " Shennong's Herbal Classic”: “Shennong tasted hundreds of herbs, encountered seventy-two poisons daily, and cured himself with tea." Records from 1122-1116 BCE show that tea leaves were used as tribute in the region of “Bashu” (modern-day “Sichuan” and “Chongqing”).
Beautiful Legends
The use of tea as a beverage is one of China's significant discoveries. Its history is as long as that of medicinal plants. During ancient times of gathering and hunting, early humans discovered tea while tasting various herbs. The utilization of tea likely went through several stages: from being eaten to be used as medicine, and finally consumed as a beverage.
In the “Eastern Han Dynasty”, "Shennong's Herbal Classic" recorded the legend of "Shennong tasting hundreds of herbs and encountering seventy-two poisons daily, being cured by tea." Over five thousand years ago, folklore tells of a man named “Shennong”, credited with the invention of agriculture and medicine. To alleviate people's suffering, he tasted various herbs to find medicinal plants. Once, after tasting seventy-two toxic herbs, his body was overwhelmed by poison, causing severe discomfort. As he rested under a tree, a cool breeze blew, causing a leaf to fall into his mouth. The leaf's fragrant and sweet taste invigorated him. He then picked and chewed more leaves, which immediately relieved his symptoms and brought a sense of comfort. “Shennong” thus identified these leaves as a potent remedy and named them "tea."
Since then, tea has been passed down through generations. It is said that tea evolved from a medicinal herb to both a medicine and a beverage through “Shennong's” repeated tastings and verifications, which he then imparted to future generations.
