The
first cup of tea!
Tea is the world's most popular prepared drink. It was discovered by Chinese
Emperor Shen Nung in 2737 B.C., when a tea leaf accidentally fell into
the bowl of hot water he was drinking.
Afternoon tea, of course!
In the early 19th century, afternoon tea as a social custom, was originated
by Anna, 7th Duchess of Bedford. The Duchess began inviting guests to
join her for a cup of tea and some sweets and savouries in the afternoon,
in order to fill the long gap between breakfast and late dinners. The
ritual caught on in England and North America and soon became an afternoon
tradition that remains today. Modern afternoon tea at trendy tea salons
and cafés feature a wide variety of quality teas and fine finger
foods.
How fresh brewed iced tea was born!
An Englishman named Richard Blechynden was unsuccessfully promoting tea
at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, Missouri. You see, the sweltering
southern heat did little to attract patrons to hot tea, so Mr. Blechynden
added ice cubes and the crowdsloved the new brew. Ever since this fortuitous
discovery, iced tea has continued to grow in popularity.