There are several legends about the invention of tea. Tea is first mentioned in a Chinese story from 2700 BC, the time of Emperor Shen Nung. He is said to have invented tea during one of his travels around the Chinese Empire. While taking a short rest, a few leaves fell off a shrub, straight into his cup of boiling drinking water. A lovely scent came up from the cup, and the curious emperor tasted the drink made by chance. The beverage did not only have a wonderful taste, but a refreshing, energizing effect as well. The emperor became so impressed by the new invention that he began to propagate the magic shrub. The first Chinese name of tea was ’te’ which then became ‘chia’.
