what is tea

Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured or fresh leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, an evergreen shrub native to East Asia. It is the second most consumed beverage on Earth, after water, and is enjoyed at elevated social events in many cultures, such as the tea party. Tea ceremonies have arisen in different cultures, such as the Chinese and Japanese traditions, each of which employs certain techniques and ritualized protocol of brewing and serving tea for enjoyment in a refined setting. The flavor of tea varies by where the tea leaves are harvested and how they are grown and processed. Black tea is the most popular worldwide, followed by green, oolong, and white tea. All teas, including Black, Green, Oolong, White, and Puerh, come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. The tea plant grows best in loose, deep soil, at high altitudes, and in sub-tropical climates. Tea has a rich history, with the first published account of methods of planting, processing, and drinking coming in 350 CE. Tea is rich in polyphenols, which are plant chemicals that give teas their distinct flavor and aroma and may have health-promoting properties. Observational research has found that tea consumption of 2-3 cups daily is associated with a reduced risk of premature death, heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. However, there may be an increased risk of esophageal and stomach cancers from drinking tea that is too hot (more than 131-140° F . Tea is the most common beverage consumed in the world, second only to water, and is produced from the leaves and buds of the Camellia sinensis plant.