Tea, one of the world’s oldest beverages, originated in China and has a long history of more than 4,000 years in China. Legend has that in 2737 BC, when the legendary Emperor Shennong was boiling water, dried leaves from a nearby bush fell into the water. The Emperor drank it and found it quite refreshing. Thus, that was the early form of the tea.

For a long period of time, tea was only valued for its medicinal qualities. It also used for religious offering during the Western Zhou Dynasty (1100-771 BC). During Three Kingdoms (220-280) to the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420–589), due to its refreshing effect, tea became popular among monks with the popularity of the Buddhism. Finally, it became a popular drink during the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

Usually, tea can be classified into four categories, namely white, green, oolong and black tea. Sometimes, three more categories will be added, they are red, scented and compressed teas.

In ancient China, tea played an important part in the lives of the Chinese. Along with firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce and vinegar, it was regarded as one of the seven necessities of Chinese life. Today, tea is still the most important beverage for most of the Chinese.