In many ways, green tea is the ‘original’ tea. It was first harvested in China, but the exact origin of the drink is steeped in myth and legend. One story traces the origins as far back as 5000 years, to the time of the Chinese Emperor Shennog. So, Chums, the story goes that the Emperor was drinking boiled water when a few tea leaves were blown into his bowl, changing the flavour and colour of the water.
And so, you have it! Green tea was born…
Well, as charming as the Emperor’s story is, the drinking of green tea as we know it probably began in 8th century China. At this time the Chinese people would compress the green tea leaves into round cakes to make the tea easier to carry! Clever folks I hear you cry!
By the 9th century, green tea started catching on in Japan. Buddhist Monks enjoyed the green tea so much that they decided to bring it back from China and into Japan. The Japanese Emperor, a clever chap, thought the tea was so delicious that he had green tea gardens planted around Kyoto, a big city in the centre of Japan.
Green tea has since made its way to all corners of the globe in all its different varieties, doing the world a world of good. And now, it comes to a cuppa near you in my famous pyramid bag!
So, what I am trying to say is… thank you, China. Thanks for bringing such delicious tea to your chums around the world!
