Tea is a delight to billions around the world. Its bushes originated in China 60-70 million years ago. People discovered that chewing and swallowing the leaves of wild tea trees tasted good and boosted energy. Then one day someone thought to pour hot water over them and drink the resulting brew. By 2,000 years ago, the drink was held in such high esteem that it was reserved only for emperors and other VIPs.  Around 1,500 years ago, ordinary people drank and traded green tea. Oxidising this to make black tea, or fermenting it to make puer tea, began in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). This kept tea wholesome when transported long distances – for example, along the 930 mile (1,500km) ‘Tea Road’ to Tibet.

    Portugese traders took green tea to Europe in the 1580s, and the Dutch took tea to New Amsterdam (later New York) around 1650, and to England in 1669. In the 1860s, England’s East India Company leaked to India the secret of how to make black tea. This soon became the favourite in Europe and India. But green tea remains the first choice in eastern Asia, which is why it’s the world's second most popular drink (after water).