Many people have asked for a story on the origins of tea. I haven't found too much online about this subject. I did overhear an old man tell this version when I was shopping in a local herbal shop:

It was autumn time. The air was starting to chill and the leaves were turning brown. A taoist monk was taking a break from reading his scriptures and meditations. He put a pot of water on the fire to warm the room, then he walked though the garden to watch the monkeys settle in for the cold season ahead.

For the past year, he watched a monkey family gather certain foods at particular times of the day. This time, the monkeys were eating dried flower buds and leaves. The taoist monk, amused, picked the same buds and leaves the monkeys had chosen. He was surprised to find that the flowers were sill fragrant and the leaves were sticky with natural oils. The monk went back inside to where his water was boiling. He put his handful of flowers and leaves in a small bowl, then pours hot water over them. The fragrance released from the flower buds filled the air. The leaves changed the clear water to a deep amber liquor. The monk was so enticed by the steaming liquid that he sipped slowly his first cup of tea.

My favorite tea is Ti Kwan Yin. What's yours?