During the winter months, many start their day with a refreshing cup of tea or unwind in the evening with a comforting cup of tea. The dried leaves and leaf buds of the Camellia sinensis shrub or tree are steeped in water to create a cup of tea. Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world after water. Drinking tea dates back to the 3rd century A.D. in China and has increased in consumption as access has improved with large-scale production.
Tea comes in many varieties and can be combined with different flavors from fruits to chocolate. Some believe that tea can provide health benefits and some believe in tasseography, a method of divination by reading tea leaves . Tea ceremonies exist in many cultures with distinct techniques and rituals of brewing and serving. The Library has an extensive collection of materials on all aspects of tea that can quench your thirst for knowledge on the subject.