A beverage made by pouring hot water over the dried leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. There are many varieties and preparations of tea leaves (green, black, white, oolong, etc.). 

Native to east Asia. 

Tea was introduced to Japan around 600 CE and into Europe during the 17th century. 

A tea bush can be harvested for 40 to 50 years and even up to 100 years. Black tea accounts for 75% of the world’s tea production.

New Oxford Book of Food Plants by John Vaughan et al. (2009)

“Tea’s Time” by Dina Modianot-Fox (2007) https://www.smithsonianmag.com/ history/teas-time-146624691