Tea refers to the beverage prepared by steeping dried leaves in boiling water. Tea also refers to the leaves themselves or the shrub from which they come. The drink was first served in China 4,000 years ago. By the eighth century A.D. the Japanese had discovered it. Tea arrived in England in the 1700's. By the end of that century its import had increased ten-thousand fold with a specific daily meal, called tea or high tea, devoted to it. Tea is grown in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, especially China, India, Indonesia and Japan. The choicest tea is grown at high altitudes.

The light meal called tea originated in England. Tea is served with a variety of small sandwiches, scones, and crumpets with jam and clotted cream. Small cookies and pastries are also part of the meal. Tea occurs in the late afternoon between half past three and five. By contrast, high tea, popular in Northern England and Scotland, is a more substantial meal, including meat and fish dishes. It is served around six o'clock in place of an evening meal.

All tea plants are of the same species but differences in cultivation, climate and processing result in a wide variety of tea types.

• Green tea, popular in Asia, is produced by withering, rolling, and then firing or drying the tea leaves.
• Black tea is the result of fermenting the leaves before they are fired. Black tea is favored by Westerners. Well-known black teas are Darjeeling, English and Irish breakfast, Earl Grey and Ceylon.
• Oolong tea leaves are only partially fermented prior to firing.
• Specialty teas may have various spices, blossoms or dried fruits mixed with the leaves.
• Herbal teas contain no leaves from the tea shrub but a blend of dried herbs, flowers and spices. Chamomile and mint are popular herbal teas.

Tea may be purchased loose or in individual premeasured bags. Many of the black teas sold in America and Great Britain are blends of several teas. Black teas are categorized by the size of leaf: orange pekoe (small), pekoe (medium) and souchong (large). Instant tea, often with lemon and sweeteners added, dissolves quickly in water and is most often used for making iced tea. Tea will keep up to a year. Bottled tea and tea-flavored beverages are also available.

For the perfect pot of tea, allow 6 ounces of cold water for each cup of tea and bring it to a boil. Using a ceramic or glass, not metal, pot to steep the tea, allow one tea bag or one heaping teaspoon of loose tea for each cup. Pour the boiling water over the tea in the pot, stir once, cover and allow to steep for 3 to 6 minutes for black tea and 6 to 8 minutes for green tea. If using loose tea, pour the tea into cups through a strainer (or place the loose tea in a tea ball or tea infuser before steeping). Tea may be served with milk, lemon or sugar.