A study of the phenomenon as well as the commodity, this is a comprehensive survey of the drink that is imbibed daily by more than half the population of the world. After water, tea is the second most-consumed drink in the world. Almost every corner of the globe is addressed in this comprehensive look at 4,500 years of tea history. Tea has affected international relations, exposed divisions of class and race, shaped the ethics of business, and even led to significant advances in medicine. Thoroughly researched and captivating, this is a unique study of the little green leaf.