In this section we address many interesting facts about tea, the beginnings of traditional tea customs, the paraphernalia used, short history of the tea bag (see History of Tea for the full story).

It also covers some useful things to know about where tea fits into your healthy diet, but go to the Health section for more detailed scientific information on tea and health.

For additional tea facts, you may wish to read further information on:

• Tea Customs - such as afternoon tea, tea gardens, tea dances, teetotal, high tea, tea shops and tea breaks
• Tea Paraphanalia - including tea bags, tea porcelain, tea pots, tea caddies and tea spoons
• Frequently asked questions - about tea and a glossary of tea terms

Facts about Tea that everybody should know

• Time for tea!

  Tea break time...

  Tea breaks are a tradition that have been with us for approximately 200 years.

• The Top

  Drink your way to the top...

  80% of office workers say they find out more about what's going on at work over a cup of tea than any other way.

• Love Is

  Everyone's favourite...

  By the mid 18th c. tea replaced ale & gin as the drink of the masses to become Britain's most popular beverage.

• Healthy

  Good for you...

  Tea contains half the amount of caffeine found in coffee.

• How many?

  How many cups a day...

  The number of recommended cups of tea to drink each day is 4, this gives you optimal benefit.

• 5000 years young

  A long time ago...

  Tea was created more than 5000 years ago in China.

• Pearly whites

  A cup of tea to keep the dentist away...

  Tea is a natural source of fluoride that can help protect against tooth decay.

• Tea Book

  The first book...

  The first book about tea was written by Lu Yu in 800 A.D

• A new arrival?

  Arrived in Europe...

  Tea firstly appeared in Europe thanks to Portuguese Jesuit Father Jasper de Cruz in 1560.

• Whoop, whoop, I'm gonna...

  Bag it up...

  96% of all cups of tea drunk daily in the UK are brewed from tea bags.

• Big in India...

  Big in India...

  Apart from tourism, tea is the biggest industrial activity in India.

• 98%

  As you like it...

  98% of people take their tea with milk, but only 30% take sugar in tea.