Have you ever wondered how tea, the world’s most beloved beverage, first came to be?
One of the most captivating legends takes us back to 2737 BCE, when Emperor Shen Nung of ancient China was enjoying a quiet picnic under the shade of a tree. As the story goes, a breeze rustled the leaves of a nearby Camellia sinensis plant, and a few of them floated down into his pot of boiling water. Curious about the inviting aroma rising from the pot, the emperor tasted the infusion—and the world’s first cup of tea was born.
While this tale is charming and widely told in Chinese folklore, historians point to a more concrete milestone much later. The first documented evidence of tea drinking dates to around 350 CE in Yunnan province, where tea was valued both for its medicinal qualities and its refreshing taste.
From that fateful moment—real or mythical—tea began its long journey through dynasties, cultures, and continents, evolving into the ritual, comfort, and craft we cherish today.
