Origin of Tea in China

China is believed to be the birthplace of the tea plant. Emperor Shen Nung, lived about 2737 years BC, has a habit of always boil water before drinking. One day, while resting after the tour in his realm, Emperor asks the servant to boil drinking water. At that time, some leaves, from trees that are not known his name, fell into a boiling pot of water and change color to brown.

Once tasted, the Emperor felt that he drank water becomes more pleasant. The body becomes more fresh. Starting from there, cha, or tea in Chinese, is known.

Other in China, another in Japan. Seed tea was first brought to Japan from China in the 9th century AD by Yeisei Myoan, an homage to the Zen Buddhist priest. Previously, Yeisei have proven efficacy of tea that could make him stay awake while meditating.

Thanks to the support of the Emperor, the habit of drinking tea among the clergy and then spread from monasteries across the country. Therefore, Yeisei then known as the `Father of Tea 'in Japan. Tea drinking habits also evolved into an art. In fact, there was a special ceremony tea, Cha-No-Yu.

In Europe, tea first appeared in 1560 in Portugal through a missionary named Jasper de Cruz. After that, the tea spread to France, Holland and the Baltic states (Finland, Danish, Belgium).

Tea became a popular beverage. The amount of tea imported increased. As a result, tea prices fell because tea has been sold widely in the market and no longer the exclusive items.

Around the year 1652 - 1654, tea began to be known widely in the UK, replacing ale (alcoholic fermented beverages), which had fallen down.

King Charles XI credited with popularizing the tea and make it a favorite drink of the nobles. Presentation was more varied. Not only was served with sugar, but also added to milk.

If only Dr. Andreas Cleyer, Dutch nationality, did not bring the plant Camellia sinensis seeds to be used as ornamental plants in 1686, in Indonesia, there will be no tea plantations.

Starting in 1728, tea seeds from China began to be cultivated in Java. The new effort succeeded in 1824, when Dr. Van Siebold, who experienced researching tea in Japan, promoting a Japanese tea seedlings. While the tea plantation in Indonesia, only started in 1828, pioneered by Jacobson.

Tea became a profitable commodity. Thus, in the reign of Governor Van Den Bosch, the people are forced to grow through the political tea cultivation. Since Indonesia's independence, plantations and trading business was taken over by the government.