The origin of tea
1. Theory of the origin of the times
- Shen Nong Shuo Tang and Lu Yu's "Tea Classic": "Tea is drinking, originating from the Shen Nong family." In the history of Chinese cultural development, it is often attributed to the Shen Nong family that all things related to agriculture and plants originated. The claim that Chinese tea drinking originated from Shennong has also derived different perspectives due to folk legends. Some people believe that tea was discovered by Shen Nong when he was boiling water in a cauldron in the wild. A few leaves happened to float into the pot, and the cooked water had a slightly yellow color. It produced saliva, quenched thirst, and refreshed the mind. Based on Shen Nong's past experience of tasting various herbs, it was determined that it was a medicine, which is the most common statement about the origin of Chinese tea drinking.
- In the Western Zhou Dynasty, it was said in the Chronicles of Huayang · Ba Zhi by Chang Qu of the Jin Dynasty that "King Wu of the King Wu of Zhou conquered Zhou, and really gained the master of Bashu,... tea honey... all paid tribute." This record shows that when King Wu of the Zhou Dynasty conquered Zhou, the State of Ba had already paid tribute to King Wu of Zhou with tea and other precious products. It is also recorded in the Chronicles of Huayang that there were also artificially cultivated tea gardens at that time.
- The Qin and Han dynasties said that the earliest and most reliable existing information on tea studies dates back to the Han Dynasty, mainly based on the Tong Yue written by Wang Bao. This article was written on the 15th day of the first month of the third year of Shenjue, Emperor Xuan of Han (59 BC). It is the most important document in the history of tea science before the Tea Classic. The development of Tea culture at that time is explained in every word of the article.
- The Six Dynasties said that Chinese tea drinking originated from the Six Dynasties. Some people believe that it originated from "Sun Hao replacing wine with tea", while others believe that it originated from "Wang Suming drinking". In Japan and India, it is said that tea drinking originated from "Dharma meditation". However, the Qin and Han dynasties have conclusive historical evidence to prove, which weakens the correctness of the Six Dynasties theory
2. Functional origin theory
- Sacrifice theory: This theory suggests that tea and some other plants were originally used as sacrifices. Later, some people tasted it and found that it was harmless, so it "evolved from sacrificial offerings to vegetable foods to medicinal purposes," and ultimately became a beverage;
- Medication theory: This statement suggests that tea "initially entered human society as a medicinal herb. "Shennong Ben Cao Jing" wrote: "Shennong tasted hundreds of herbs, encountered 72 poisons every day, and got tea to solve it";
- Food theory: "In ancient times, people used grass to drink water," and "food is the top priority for the people," which conforms to the evolutionary laws of human society;
- Synchronize: The initial use of tea may have been as a chewing material, as well as a roasted and boiled food, while gradually becoming a medicinal drink;
- Communication: "Zai Jing Tang Ji" records: "Tea, either belonging to Yao Cao or Jia Mu, is a precious item in plants. It is divided into the name of" cashew tea "in ancient times." On the ninth day of the first lunar month, when guests arrive, a goose yellow willow bursts out in the courtyard. Sitting in front of each other, the aroma of tea surpasses that of wine. This theory introduces tea into the realm of social interaction, highlighting a kind of elegance in social situations. The origin of tea drinking is the "social theory"
