"Tea or coffee?" This question is frequently asked when people have dinners. Western people may choose coffee while Chinese may prefer tea. It is said that 5,000 years ago, an emperor in China discovered tea and used it to treat disease. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, tea houses could be found all over the country. Tea-drinking was introduced to Japan in the sixth century, but it was not known by Europe and America until the 17th and 18th century. Up to now, tea has become one of the most popular beverages in the world. It is the national drink of China and an important part of Chinese traditional culture.
