Tea

Chinese Emperor Shen Nung would only drink boiled water. Traveling with his miltary, in a far-away region, they stopped and rested. Servants boiled his water, as usual, and some dried leaves from nearby bush floated into the steamy liquid. The emporer drank and was quite refreshed. The brownish water, tea, was born.

Although many varieties exist, it is the polyphenols that provide health benefits.

Many celebrations in China require it:

· Family gatherings
· Wedding day - the happy couple serve the elders, and red envelopes are exchanged, in a gesture of goodwill.
· Apology accepted - during an apology, tea is served by the apologist, a sign of respect.
· Respect - employees serve bosses, children serve parents, etc.

You do not refuse tea in China. Like me, you might toss it out a window if it comes from questionable water sources (out of the host's view), but you do not decline.