100 Tea Facts, How Many Do You Know?

My love of tea first started sitting at my Grandmother’s plastic covered table.

Her and I, between us a china bowl of sugar cubes and a china tea cup and saucer in front of each of us.

It was our time to be calm, to talk about the day.

I will never forget those moments or how it felt to be so grown up at the age of 5 sipping what must have been a hot Pekoe tea.

The time was so special and made a memorable mark in my mind. Tea brings me back to that moment, those feelings every time I stop and think of the magic of tea.

Tea is a factual drink, it brings joy and healing. I wanted to share with you some interesting facts about tea.

Facts are a treasure and so interesting. I enjoyed researching, reading and looking up 100 facts about tea.

Here they are:

100 Tea Facts

 

1. China has 36% of the world production of tea

2. Japan is famous for Matcha

3. The United States is the least producer of tea at less then 1%

4. A tisane is not a tea (it’s an herbal)

5. Mint Tea aids in digestion

6. Ginger “tea” has anti inflammatory qualities

7. All teas come from a single plant Camellia Sinensis

8. The CTC method of tea stands for Crush, Tear and Curl

9. Blooming teas are hand crafted and unravel to a beautiful flower

10. Tea is the national drink in Iran served with cubed or crystal sugar

11. China is the world’s largest producer of tea

12. Herbal “teas” offer many medicinal benefits

13. Black tea is the most known of all the teas

14. A tea pet is really a thing

15. We believe tea was discovered by Emperor Shen Nung

16. Tea was a luxury

17. Buddhist monks gave tea as gifts

18. Iced tea is said to have been created in St. Louis at the World’s fair in 1904

19. The Queen of England enjoys Earl Grey with no sugar or milk to start her day

20. Tea bags were invented in the United States around 1908

21. Slippery Elm aids the throat, mouth and stomach

22. Tea arrived in Canada in 1716

23. Current day costs of the tea thrown into the harbor during the Boston Tea Party is < $700,000.

24. Red Tea from China is actually black tea

25. Three years until a tea plant can be first harvested

26. The “Agony of Tea” is hot water uncurling the tea leaves

27. Rooibos tea comes from a bush in South Africa

28. Bubble tea started in the 1980’s in Taiwan

29. Olive Tea originated in Italy (made with olive leaves)

30. Chamomile tea calms you

31. There are four major types of teas: Black, Green, White and Oolong

32. 85% of tea consumed in the United States is Iced Tea

33. Lipton tea factory is located in Dubai

34. 32 cases of tea was thrown into the harbor during the Boston Tea Party

35. A standard tea bag contains one teaspoon of tea or herbs

36. Tea arrived in Russia in the 1600’s

37. Tulsi tea helps anxiety and has been known to relieve headaches

38. Tea was used as part of a dowry

39. Emperor Shen Nung discovered tea in 2737 BCE

40. Ezekiel 47:12 and the fruit there will be for me and the “LEAF” for medicine

41. The first tea bags were made of silk – Thomas Sullivan

42. Butter tea (Tibet) is made from black tea, butter and salt

43. Genmaicha is made from green tea and roasted brown rice

44. The Boston Tea Party used tea because it was considered upscale and taxed

45. Only the top 1-2 inches of the Tea Plant are used to make tea

46. Tea was used as a currency in ancient China

47. Use tea bags and black tea to reduce puffy eyes

48. Matcha is green tea ground to a powder

49. Tea was precious cargo at one time and reserved only for the rich and elite

50. Tea is my favorite drink contact me for a prize

51. It tea around 2,000 tiny leaves to make one pound of finished tea

52. Timing and water are crucial elements to a good cup of tea

53. Who said: “Coffee, Tea or Me? John Cusack in Working Girl

54. Three billion cups of tea are consumed worldwide

55. Tasseography – the art of reading tea leaves

56. Tea absorbs moisture and scents that are around it

57. Moroccan Mint tea is a favorite in the Middle East

58. Yerba Mate is a South American favorite calling it “ The drink of the Gods”

59. Traditional Chinese tea ceremony is called a Gongfu

60. The cup used in that ceremony is called a Gaiwan

61. There is a talent to pouring from a Gaiwan

62. Pantyhose tea got it’s name from the device used to strain the tea

63. Tea is the most popular drink… after water

64. One tea bush can yield tea for up to 50 years (or more)

65. Tea contains less caffeine then coffee

66. Use cold tea on those sunburn spots to ease the pain

67. You can reuse your tea leaves (to get more then one cup full)

68. Boiling water is a no no to brew tea with

69. There is no decaf tea (some teas contain more or less caffeine)

70. You can take a bath in tea (it’s very relaxing)

71. The first tea book was written by Lu Yu in 800 AD

72. Tea tree oil does not come from the Camellia Sinensis plant

73. Chrysanthemum tea is used to reduce fevers and headaches

74. The best green teas come from late April to early May first harvest

75. Tea was used as an ingredient in alcoholic punches as far back as the 1700’s

76. The teapot has three main parts: the handle, the spout and the body.

77. A religious sect in Malaysia worships a giant teapot (yes really)

78. World’s largest teapot is in Navasota, Texas

79. Some areas of Europe believed sprinkling tea leaves in front of the house to ward off evil spirits

80. If the lid of a teapot falls off during brewing it signifies a strange will be visiting

81. Making tea that is weak means you will lose a close friendship

82. So strong means you will gain a new friend

83. Tea contains L-theanine which has shown to have beneficial effects on the brain

84. Tea is eaten in Burma in a process known as lephet where tea leaves are picked, softened, cooled, rolled and put underground to age

85. Da-Hong Pae is the most expensive tea in the world ($1,000,000 per kilogram)

86. Tea can be used as a die on paper and clothing

87. Tea can be used to clean floors and windows

88. Tea is absorbent use it to absorb odors in the refrigerator

89. 4 is the recommended amount of tea to drink a day

90. Black tea is processed the longest

91. White tea the shortest

92. Tea plants need at least 50 inches of rain a year

93. A tea plant can grow as tall as 52 feet

94. $15,250 is the cost of the most expensive tea bag in the world

95. Famous tea songs: “Tea for Two”, “No No Nanette” and “When I Take Sugar To Tea”

96. Lipton is the world’s best selling brand

97. The tannic acid in black tea is said to help remove warts

98. In Morocco it is the man’s job to pour the tea

99. Watered down tea is used as “whiskey” in a TV Scene

100. The most expensive teapot in the world is a rare pair of “melon teapots from 18th century China and sold for $2.8 million.