According to one Chinese legend, tea was discovered approximately 5,000 years ago. It was discovered by Shennong Shi, whose name literally means “Divine Farmer.” Shennong Shi was the first Chinese herbal physician and was highly respected as the father of Chinese medicine. One of his contributions to medicine was testing herbs to find remedies for people. Myths say that Shennong had a transparent body and could immediately see the effects of different plants. He discovered tea while traveling through high mountains and collecting various plants. He found that tea, “Cha,” acted as an antidote. One day he found a plant with green leaves and white flowers and tasted it. He noticed something unusual: the leaves circulated through his stomach and cleansed all the food he had previously consumed, while his mouth and breath felt fresh. From then on, he used the plant to neutralize the toxins of the plants he tested. It is interesting to note that all major types of tea actually come from the same plant species, Camellia sinensis, while different types of tea and flavors are produced through different processing techniques.
Drinking tea in ancient China was considered an art and a way to better understand life. Even today, it is said that tea culture is a kind of intermediary culture that allows the spirit of traditional Chinese culture to be passed on to future generations. Peace of mind is the first step toward achieving peace as a spiritual purpose, bringing together harmony and tranquility.
