A comforting cup of tea is essential part of the day for hundreds of millions of people around the globe. Worldwide, three cups of tea (consume) for every cup of coffee. To fully appreciate the ancient roots of the herbal drink, a visit to the China National Tea Museum might be in order. The institution has a long history.
(locate) in Hangzhou, the museum occupies a parklike setting. Inside, various halls demonstrate the story of tea, its ceremonies and its tools. Records of tea drinking date far back as the tenth century B. C. in China. (origin) the leaves were baked into a brick, a part of could be broken off and made into a powder. Tea spread into northern China during the Tang Dynasty; by the Song Dynasty it (acquire) a loose-leaf production as well as the ceremonies that made (it) consumption an art form.
The art of tea extended to its fancy (contain), which are on display at the museum. Gracefully rounded kettles date back 5,000 years; tea bowls from the Tang Dynasty have a beautiful simplicity. Today visitors can observe a tea ceremony that might be enough (change) even the most passionate coffee drinker.
