Tea's origins can be traced back thousands of years to ancient China. Legend has it that in 2737 BC, Chinese Emperor Shen Nong accidentally boiled some leaves, which led to the discovery of tea. As tea drinking became more popular thsatta mingroughout Asia, distinct customs emerged in nations like India, Korea, and Japan. After tea arrived in Europe in the 17th century, the nobility took to it. By establishing plantations in India & Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) to satisfy European demand, the British East India Company had a significant impact on the spread of tea throughout the world. Over the course of the eighteenth century, elaborate tea sets gained popularity as tea became a status and wealth symbol.
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