Spill the Tea Trivia Quiz

Answer:

Camellia senensis is an evergreen shrub that is native to eastern Asia, and it is the plant from whose leaves that we generally associate with tea. Whether fresh or dried, we simply pour hot water on the leaves, allow them to steep and they provide us with an aromatic beverage that is a comfort to many across the globe.

Tea is the world's most widely consumed beverage (after water) and, thanks to its caffeine content, is also a pleasant stimulant. The Tang dynasty in China first made the drinking of tea fashionable. Portuguese missionaries were responsible for bringing it to Europe and, thanks to their presence in India, it became a popular drink in Great Britain during the 17th century.

Differences in flavour boil down to (pun intended) a variety of factors. These include plant variety, the conditions in which they're grown and, more importantly, the manner in which they're processed.

Herbal teas, such as chamomile and rooibos mentioned above, are often called tisanes and infusions and are brews that are made from various herbs, flowers and grains. These are likely to be as old as what we deem "proper" teas. Remember, they were used for medicinal purposes well before they became fashionable as beverages.

The incorrect answers above are either varieties or cultivars of coffee.