Beverage
Tea
Tea is the leaf of Camellia sinensis, processed into green, white, oolong, black, and dark (pu-erh) styles that drive the world's most consumed flavoured hot drink after water. Origin, cultivar, oxidation, and craft shape floral, grassy, malty, or earthy cups. Matcha is stone-ground shaded green tea powder; extracts and concentrates supply iced tea and cooking. Culinary uses include marinades, desserts, smoking blends, and broths.
Also known as: Cha, Cha, Chai leaf, Ceylon Tea, Oolong
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History
Chinese cultivation and drinking of tea leaves established tea as a cultural staple.
Buddhist exchange carried tea to Japan, later refined into matcha and sencha traditions.
European trade companies globalised black tea drinking and plantation production in Asia.
Assam and Darjeeling estates expanded industrial black tea for imperial and global markets.