The World's Second Most Popular Beverage Has a Story to Tell

Take a moment to think about the last time you had a drink. If it wasn’t water, there’s a good chance it was tea—and you wouldn’t be alone.

After water, tea holds the crown as the most consumed beverage in the world. It’s ancient, it’s global, and it’s mostly just… water with leaves. But don’t let its simplicity fool you—tea is steeped in culture, history, and ritual, and it’s anything but boring.

A Steeped History (Pun Intended)

Legend has it that tea was discovered by accident in ancient China around 2700 BC. An emperor sipping hot water beneath a camellia tree noticed some leaves drifted into his cup, changing the flavor entirely—and just like that, tea was born.

From there, tea spread across Asia, becoming an integral part of everyday life. By the 1600s, the British and Dutch had launched it onto the global stage, shipping leaves from China to Europe through massive trade networks. A few centuries later, British colonization in India led to full-scale tea cultivation there too, turning tea into a worldwide obsession.

But tea has always been more than a drink. It’s a pause. A ritual. An invitation to slow down and connect. In Morocco, tea is an act of hospitality. In Japan, green tea is woven into centuries-old ceremonies. Whether it’s chamomile at bedtime or a formal high tea with scones and silverware, tea is often less about caffeine and more about comfort.

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You've been doing it backwards this whole time—try pairing cheese with iced tea instead of wine!

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Simplicity in a Cup

At its core, tea is simple: dried leaves meet hot water. But from that simplicity springs endless variety. Most caffeinated teas—black, green, oolong, white, matcha, and pu-erh—come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. The difference lies in how the leaves are processed, dried, or fermented.

Prefer to skip the caffeine? Herbal teas (technically tisanes) offer options like peppermint, rooibos, ginger, or hibiscus. You can even steep fresh herbs or flowers—lavender, rose, or chrysanthemum—for stunning and aromatic brews. With tea, there are almost no rules.

Summer Teas That Are Cool, Crisp, and Anything But Basic

While hot tea might be a winter staple, summer begs for something chilled—and tea rises beautifully to the occasion. These refreshing blends are perfect for porch sipping, picnic packing, or just surviving a heat wave in style:

🍓 Hibiscus + Strawberry + Mint

Tart hibiscus pairs perfectly with sweet strawberries and a hint of mint. Serve it iced with a citrus slice for a bold, jewel-toned drink that tastes as good as it looks.

🍍 Green Tea + Pineapple + Basil

Green tea’s earthiness gets a tropical twist with pineapple chunks and the subtle peppery kick of fresh basil. Pro tip: cold brew this overnight for an ultra-smooth finish.

🍋 Lemon Verbena + Ginger + Honey

Bright, zesty lemon verbena and warming ginger make the ultimate sunshine tea. Add honey while it’s warm, then chill and pour over ice with a splash of sparkling water.

🥭 Black Tea + Mango + Chili

Looking for something a little daring? Steep black tea with ripe mango and a pinch of chili flakes. It’s sweet, spicy, and totally unexpected—like a tea version of a spicy margarita.

🌿 Cucumber + Mint + White Tea

Clean and crisp, this combo is basically spa water’s cooler, more caffeinated cousin. Add slices of cucumber and sprigs of mint to lightly brewed white tea, then let it chill.

Whether you’re drinking it to unwind, energize, or just hydrate with style, tea is more than a beverage—it’s an experience. And in a world that moves fast, maybe that’s exactly why it’s still our go-to sip after all these centuries.