The History of Japanese Green Tea

Did you know that, according to legend, tea came from the eyelids of a monk? Green Tea in Japan has a long history, dating back to the 8th century where it began its importance in the country as a stimulant for meditating monks. In both the traditions of China and Japan, tea or cha was discovered by an Indian sage in the fifth to sixth century. This Indian sage, Daruma (also known as Bodhidharma), was the founder of Chan Buddishm, the precursor to Zen Buddhism – after spreading his new doctrine, he founded the Shaolin temple in southern China Tea became popular with the Buddhist monks for keeping sleep away, and is made by adding hot water to the young leaves, leaf tips, and buds. It was thought that tea had some medicinal qualities and we know now that the antioxidant tannins in tea can help strengthen the immune system. Monks visiting Japan in the eighth century, as well as travelling traders and diplomats, introduced tea to Japan in the eighth century, and some Japanese monks visited China an