<P> Tea originated in Southwest China , where it was used as a medicinal drink . It was popularized as a recreational drink during the Chinese Tang dynasty , and tea drinking spread to other East Asian countries . Portuguese priests and merchants introduced it to Europe during the 16th century . During the 17th century , drinking tea became fashionable among Britons , who started large - scale production and commercialization of the plant in India to bypass the Chinese monopoly . </P>
<P> Tea originated in Southwest China , where it was used as a medicinal drink . It was popularized as a recreational drink during the Chinese Tang dynasty , and tea drinking spread to other East Asian countries . Portuguese priests and merchants introduced it to Europe during the 16th century . During the 17th century , drinking tea became fashionable among Britons , who started large - scale production and commercialization of the plant in India to bypass the Chinese monopoly . </P>
where does tea come from in the world
where does tea come from in the world
Southwest China
Southwest China