In the 400-600s demand for tea being used as a medicinal drink rose in China.
Tea in Japan during this period was rare and expensive, and enjoyed most by high priests and the aristocracy.
During 648-749 a Japanese monk Gyoki planted the first tea bushes in 49 Buddhist temple gardens.
Buddhism and tea devotion spread and the Japanese Buddhist Saint and Priest Saicho and monk Kubo Daishi, brought tea seeds and cultivation and manufacturing tips back from China and planted them in the gardens in Japanese temples.
Tea is first mentioned in the ancient texts as an offering. In the Buddhist scriptures it is often spoken as an offering made to the Buddha.
AFTERNOON TEA 4 TWO - FOOD & LIFESTYLE BLOG... 
What was drunk before tea, ale?
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No idea, but must try and find out 🙂
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Lovely.xx
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Thank you avenscent 🙂
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apparently (so i read in the paper the other day), the british cuppa is falling in popularity.
i can’t see that somehow!
kaye x
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No way, we just love it and the gorgeous cakes that come with it :):) thanks for the comment 🙂
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