EigoPro 準2級プラス 読解 — The Drink That Changed the World

The Drink That Changed the World After water, tea is the most popular drink on Earth. Billions of cups are enjoyed every day, in nearly every country. Yet behind this simple drink lies a long and fascinating history that has shaped cultures, trade, and even wars. An Accidental Discovery According to an old legend, tea was discovered in China around 5,000 years ago, when a few leaves accidentally fell into an emperor's pot of boiling water. Whether or not the story is true, we know that the Chinese were drinking tea long before most of the world had even heard of it. For centuries, China kept the secrets of growing and making tea closely guarded. Spreading Across the World Tea slowly traveled along trade routes to other parts of Asia, and later to Europe. When it arrived in Britain in the seventeenth century, it was at first a rare and costly luxury. Over time, however, it became the national drink, enjoyed by rich and poor alike. The British habit of afternoon tea, now famous around the world, grew out of this love of the drink. More Than a Drink In many cultures, tea is about far more than taste. In Japan, the tea ceremony turns the simple act of making tea into an art form built on calm, respect, and attention to detail. In other countries, offering a cup of tea is a basic gesture of welcome and friendship. A Shared Cup Today, whether served in a fine cup or a plastic bottle, tea continues to bring people together. As one writer noted, "Few things in history have crossed so many borders, and warmed so many hands, as a simple cup of tea."

新規登録 または ログイン が必要です