In the beginning, tea was used in ritual offerings. Then, tea leaves were eaten as a vegetable, or used in medicine. Until the Han Dynasty more than 2,000 years ago, tea was a new drink. During the Sui Dynasty (581-618), tea was used for its medicinal qualities.In the fourth and fifth centuries, rice, salt, spices, ginger and orange peel, among other ingredients, were added to tea.In the Tang Dynasty (618-907), tea drinking became an art form and a drink enjoyed by all social classes.hennong (Chinese: 神农), whose name means the Divine Farmer -- and who is considered as the ancient Chinese Father of Agriculture, is honored with the discovery of tea.