Tea is old. It is older than coffee and about the same age as beer as a beverage. According to legend, it was discovered when a leaf, from the tree a Chinese emperor was sitting beneath, fell into the water a servant was boiling for him. That leaf fell from a wild tea tree. Eventually tea became the national drink of the Chinese and the rest, as they say, is history.

Additionally, tea is a very popular drink even if it is not yet number one in the U.S. The FAO of the UN lists the production in 2006 of tea at approximately 3.6 million tonnes. Considering how little tea it takes to actually make a cup, about an ounce depending upon the type, there is plenty to go around for all the tea lovers of the world.

Some people worry about the amount of caffeine in their coffee and drink tea as a means of reducing it. How much caffeine you will get though depends upon several factors such as the type of tea, the brewing time, and preparation. The most is about 110mg in a six ounce cup of black tea. But even black tea can have less.

Vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, and polyphenols are among the benefits you get from drinking a cup of tea. These help fight off the effects of our daily lives by getting rid of free radicals and also boost our bodies' defenses. Some studies show positive effects in preventing cancer and warding off the dreaded disease Alzheimer's. All from drinking a simple cup of what I would argue is the world's favorite drink.

However, most people couldn't care less about the health benefits or how many people drink tea or even the history. We simply love a good cup of tea or a nice glass of iced tea. It soothes away the stresses of the day or centers a quiet conversation. Tea is great.

Tea drinking has been the focus for several social ceremonies and social commentaries over the years. The Japanese tea ceremony and the English afternoon tea are two examples of the social events that have arisen from the drinking of tea, though one could argue strongly that the Japanese tea ceremony is a spiritual ceremony that involves many aspects of Japanese life.

Even though East and West can seldom agree on anything, one thing we all do agree upon is that wonderful cup of tea. It is savored both in the northern and southern hemispheres of the world and is the center of many social gatherings all around the world. It is even way of life in some places.

So regardless of what type of tea you prefer, there is a tea for you whether it is black, green, white or red. And don't forget the herbal teas that aren't created from the tea tree. No matter what, you can't resist a cup of the most perfect drink there is...tea.