Many of the things long considered pleasures of life, such as sweets, rich food, alcohol, and smoking have turned out, 1 closer examination, to be not so good for us. Indulging 2 them can contribute to high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Tea, 3, is one of those rare treasures, enjoyed throughout the world, that actually benefits health. Tea has been shown to counteract some of the bad effects of our other favourites. While this may 4 as a surprise to Westerners, in the Orient it has been known for two thousand years. Long before tea became one of China’s main exports, it was a staple of life, creating a fascinating cultural history in China. But the story of procuring and serving it is 5 less intriguing in other lands 6 fell in love with the little green leaf, especially Japan, Britain, and Russia. Knowledge 7 the benefits of tea is the basis 8 continuing tea research in China, Japan, and other Asian lands and new investigations in the West.