It's All About Tea — history

Its liquor is like the sweetest dew from Heaven.

—Lu Yu

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The use of tea leaves first started in southwest China more than 3,000 years ago and was originally used by people for chewing or eating.  Over time, the use of tea leaves  expanded as people began to use them in cooking and to flavor their water. (Read more)

The popularity of Pu-erh spread like wildfire near its region of origin in Southern Yunnan. Soon enough, the famed Tea Horse Road (Chamadao) found itself as a most popular trade route between Yunnan locals and the Buddhists of Tibet. The Chinese nobles were in need of horses for the transportation of goods, and the monks were more than grateful for the fermented tea... (Read more)

High up in the Phoenix Mountains of China’s southeastern Guangdong province is where one might find Duck Shit Aroma Oolong. Year-round, these mountains are surrounded by fog and rain, creating perfect moist conditions for the soil to promote this special tea’s growth.

The mountain continuously attracts many tourists traveling not only for the scenic views but also in search of this intriguing oolong. (Read more)

One legend has it that the origins of Genmaicha date all the way back to 15th century Japan, when a servant accidentally lost a few grains of rice hidden up his sleeve into the cup of the master, for whom he was pouring very expensive tea. (Read more)