A Time for Tea Trivia Quiz

Answer: A tea from a nearby tree drifted into water he was boiling in his garden

History doesn't tell us what the Emperor was boiling water in his garden for, but it's a good thing he drank the infused water he got and discovered just how good tea was! The legend goes on to claim that the Emperor also discovered the medicinal qualities of tea at the same time. Incidentally, Shen Nong, also spelt Shennong, also reportedly discovered the properties of marijuana and taught them to his subjects. That's not my cup of tea!

As an alternative to marijuana, maybe the Emperor should have brewed himself a nice up of Rose Hip tea. High in vitamin C, rose hips can ease inflammation, helping to combat joint pain related to problems such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Cups of this can also combat weight gain! *sipping noise* Mmm, watch those pounds slip away.

Answer: Cut off his eyelids and threw them to the ground, from which the first tea plant grew

Prince Bodhi-Dharma was the founder of Zen Buddhism. He left India in 520 to teach in China, but then made his meditation vow. He was so distraught at having fallen asleep that he cut off his eyelids, and tea was born to sanctify the sacrifice of his body parts. Perhaps it was meant to be consolation after having failed at his vows.

What the Prince probably needed was a cup of black tea; black tea contains the highest amounts of caffeine out of all tea types, and might have helped him to stay awake. On the other hand, what he probably didn't want was a nice cup of Chamomile tea. Known for its relaxing and sleep-inducing qualities, Chamomile can also improve sleep quality in the elderly. Hmm, I think it's time for a nap...

Answer: Tea became the national drink of China AND became taxed

Tea was so popular during this Dynasty that not only was it the national drink, but it was also a good way for the government to make some money through taxation. It was around the same time that Lu Zhu, a Buddhist monk, wrote the Classic of Tea document, wherein he described all things tea: how to make it, what types there were, and what its benefits were. He linked tea with spirituality, and described a tea-drinking ceremony.

As you're digesting these spiritual guidelines, perhaps what you need is some Peppermint tea. This brew is renowned for being an aid to digestion, as well as irritable bowel syndrome. It is considered to have anticancer and antibacterial properties as well, to name a few. Delicious!

Answer: They were both monks

Saichō was a Buddhist monk who had spent time in China and developed a taste for tea. He brought the seeds to his monastery, but because he was so isolated the fad didn't spread quickly. Eisai was a Zen monk who popularized the idea of grinding tea leaves in a mortar and pestle to create the tea known as Matcha, and the precursor to the modern tea-drinking ceremony.

These brainy monks probably didn't need tea to boost their brain power, but maybe I do! In that case, I'll recourse to a nice steaming mug of Sage tea, which is considered to help brain health. It might help with memory loss, including Alzheimer's disease. Maybe I'll actually remember the answers to these questions of mine once I finish the quiz!

Answer: An aristocrat or member of the nobility, because it was so expensive

Tea was initially a novelty among Europe's higher classes, and as such it could be quite expensive. In 1665, tea varied in price from 16 to 50 shillings for a pound; compare this to the 20 shillings that an average worker earned per week. As a result, smuggling tea became common to circumvent prices and taxes. In 1770, England imported a mere 70 pounds of tea. This was about to change!

If those prices have raised your blood pressure, there's a tea for that. Try a cup of Hibiscus tea, which can reduce both cholesterol and blood pressure. Feeling calm again? Alright, let's proceed.

Answer: Sent a spy undercover as a Chinese farmer to learn about the tea process

The British Tea Committee sent an English botanist named Robert Fortune undercover into China, disguised as a Chinese farmer, to learn how to farm tea. He sent samples of different kinds of tea plants back to England, as well as knowledgeable Chinese tea farmers to explain the process. Fortune went on several botany-related missions into China, India, and other countries during his lifetime, but not usually in disguise.

Feeling sneaky like a spy? Then don't sneeze--you'll give away the game! Instead, try sampling some Rooibos tea, which can help ease allergies. Rooibos can also help to prevent the formation of osteoclasts, which break down old bones; this can ease diseases such as osteoporosis. Drink up, and don't sneeze into my cup.

Answer: A party of Boston men dumped tea crates into the Boston harbor

Yes, you probably got that one pretty quickly. The Boston Tea Party was a highly public way for the American Colonies to voice its complaint of "No taxation without representation". It occurred on December 16, 1773; by 1775, America and England were at war.

I wonder whether any of the Sons of Liberty got seasick while they were raiding the tea ships? If so, they should have taken a cup of Ginger tea. Ginger is known to reduce nausea, including morning sickness, and the tea may also relieve other stomach issues, such as indigestion stomach ulcers. Drink it down while it's hot!

Answer: Darjeeling

Darjeeling was discovered in 1823 growing in the Assam region of India, by Robert Bruce, an officer in the British army. The tea plants were transplanted and grown in Darjeeling, India, leading to its name, and to its popularity in Britain. China had lost its monopoly over tea, and by the 1840s Britain had set up several tea estates to farm Darjeeling in India.

While we're on the subject, why not sample a cup of Darjeeling along with me? A predominantly black tea, white, green, and Oolong variants are also available. Darjeeling is considered nutritious, and may contribute to weight loss, reduced stress levels, and other benefits, such as anti-cancer properties. And take a deep sniff while you're at it: Darjeeling is famous for its delicious aroma and flavor.

Answer: A tea vendor was next to an ice cream vendor, and added ice to his tea

Iced tea wasn't invented at the World's Fair, but it became widely popular after that event. Records of iced tea being drunk date back as far as 1823. However, it took one Richard Blechynden, a hot tea vendor, to make it popular. Since it was so hot at the fair, no one was buying his tea--until he had the idea to ask for ice from a nearby ice cream seller to add to the tea. It was instantly a hit.

Try one of many iced teas while you're here. It isn't uncommon to add something special to iced tea to make a new flavor; berries and fruit juices are popular. Pineapple iced tea is among the most popular of iced teas. Yum!

Answer: Tea samples in silk bags were accidentally steeped

The New York tea seller Thomas Sullivan accidentally popularized tea bags in 1908; they had been patented previously, but legend gives Sullivan the fame of having made them popular. He shipped out samples in silk bags to customers; these customers steeped the tea while it was still in the silk bag! After he received requests to continue to manufacture these pouches, he realized it was an accidental hit.

If saving time by using a tea bag has made you lazy, consider boosting your energy levels with Ginseng tea. Ginseng might decrease tiredness, boost brain function, and increase immunity, among other benefits.

Although most of the health benefits of tea are still hazy and not fully proven, these are not the only reasons to drink tea. It's also relaxing and delicious! I hope that, even if you haven't been sipping along with the questions, this quiz still inspires you to start boiling some water so you can enjoy a good cup.