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Legend has it that tea was discovered 5000 years ago when an emperor, out touring his kingdom was served water boiled for purity that accidentally included tea leaves.

Ever since, China's misty hillsides have been blanketed with Camellia sinensis, the plant from which all teas are made.

China's newly beloved tea quickly became part of the fabric of the culture with the introduction of the tea house, a place where people mingled freely regardless of social status.

Some of the original teahouses still exist, including this one the old Huxinting Teahouse Teahouse in the middle of a pond near the Yuyuan Gardens.

It's believed that this is the model on which the famous willow pattern is based, which introduced China to the Western world on the face of fine porcelain.

A love story told on the face of the plates.

One version describing a wealthy Mandarin's young daughter running off with an ineligible suitor, chased across the bridge by three of the Mandarins gods, the lovers turn into doves and fly away, a story that has no doubt been discussed over countless cups of tea.

Tea's popularity has grown far beyond the local tea house, as its health benefits have become more widely recognized.

The Chinese most treasure these 4 teas.

Green tea is well known as an aid in preventing cancer.

Yellow tea is believed to be good for reducing internal heat, red tea for weight loss, and avoiding strokes, and black tea is thought to reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Each has additional beneficial properties.

Too many to list and more continue to be discovered.

Perhaps that's why Wang Anshi of the Song Dynasty wrote, tea is as indispensable in daily life as rice and salt.

While you're in China, a great way to learn more about tea is to attend a formal tea ceremony.

Much like wine tasting, these events are filled with fascinating little known details on tea found in the centuries old authoritative book The Classic of Tea, written by Lu Yu.

His passion for tea was captured in a single sentence when he said its liquor is like the sweetest dew from heaven.

Let us share with you the traditions and legends of ancient China.