Tea Time
Tea is not only popular in China. Many people from all over the world like drinking tea. To have a cup of tea every day is good for us.
The Chinese people were the first to enjoy the taste of tea. The ancient Chinese records mentioned this drink in 2737 B．C． In the 8th century, tea came to Japan. Then it went to India. In 1664, some Indian people gave it to King Charles II of England.
Today, people in different countries have different ways of drinking tea.
In China, people like drinking tea during the meeting, during the meal and when someone comes to the house. They drink tea with nothing in it.
Japanese have a special way of drinking tea. It is called tea ceremony. There's even a room for it in their homes.
People in England have it many times a day. If you come to an English home even at 5 in the morning, you get a cup of early morning tea. Then you have tea for breakfast. Then you have tea at 11 in the morning for lunch. Then you have tea after lunch. Then you have tea at ten after supper, and again at 11 at night. They usually drink tea with milk, sugar or lemon. They also eat cakes and cookies for tea. Today, India produces about 720 million kilograms each year. China is the second largest producer with about 525 million kilograms.
