The birth of tea - according to legend

In ancient China, over 5,000 years ago, according to legend, the Shen Nong, an early emperor was a skilled ruler, creative scientist, and patron of the arts. His far-sighted edicts required, among other things, that all drinking water be boiled as a hygienic precaution. One summer day while visiting a distant region of his realm, he and the court stopped to rest. In accordance with his ruling, the servants began to boil water for the court to drink. Dried leaves from the near by bush fell into the boiling water, and a brown liquid was infused into the water. As a scientist, the Emperor was interested in the new liquid, drank some, and found it very refreshing. Therefore, according to legend, tea was created.