The origin of tea dates back several thousand years and is surrounded by many fascinating legends. Here are two of them:
Shen Nong is a mythical figure from ancient China and one of the three “August Ones” or legendary rulers of Chinese mythology, renowned for his expertise in botany. He is said to have discovered tea in 2737 BC.
This discovery occurred when he decided to rest in the shade of a bush. As was his custom, he boiled water near him. Suddenly, a breeze blew two leaves from the bush into his boiling water. Intrigued by this unexpected infusion, he decided to taste the mixture. To his great surprise, he discovered a delicate and fragrant beverage. Thus, Shen Nong became the first to enjoy tea, laying the foundation for a millennia-old tradition.
Originally from India, Bodhidharma was a Buddhist monk considered the legendary founder of the Chan school in China, which would later become Zen Buddhism in Japan.
One day, as part of his spiritual quest, he decided to meditate for nine years. However, over the years, fatigue began to set in, testing his concentration and endurance. To fight off sleep, he plucked leaves from a nearby bush and chewed them. To his amazement, he realized they were tea leaves, which helped him stay awake and alert during his meditation.
The legend of Bodhidharma also offers another version of this episode: after dozing off during meditation, he felt deep anger towards himself for succumbing to sleep. To ensure he never slept again, he tore out his eyes, and from these torn-out eyes, the first tea plant grew. This story not only highlights the discovery of tea but also emphasizes the intensity of his determination and spiritual commitment.
And you, do you know any other legends about the Origin of Tea ?
