Tea has been around for 5,000 years and has the distinction of being one of the most revered beverages in the world. Whether drinking it hot or over ice, this tasty brew is second only to water in worldwide beverage consumption. An ancient beverage, tea has been drunk for pleasure and health for thousands of years. Even before it is brewed, a tea leaf is steeped in legend, history, geography, and politics. From the time it was discovered, this brew traveled thousands of kilometers and left its mark on different cultures around the globe.