What did people drink when there was no tea?

Before tea became popular, people around the world drank a variety of beverages, depending on their location and culture. Here are some examples:

Water: This is, of course, the most basic and fundamental drink. People would drink water from rivers, wells, or springs.

Alcoholic Beverages: These were common in many cultures, often made from fermented grains, fruits, or honey. Some examples include:

* Beer: Made from fermented grains, beer was a popular drink in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China.

* Wine: Made from fermented grapes, wine was popular in ancient Greece and Rome.

* Mead: Made from fermented honey, mead was a popular drink in medieval Europe.

* Sake: Made from fermented rice, sake is a popular drink in Japan.

Non-Alcoholic Beverages:

* Milk: This was a common drink, especially in societies that raised livestock.

* Fruit juices: Juices from fruits like grapes, apples, and berries were popular.

* Herbal infusions: Many cultures used herbs to create infusions, similar to tea, for medicinal or flavor purposes.

* Vegetable juices: Some cultures, particularly in Asia, drank vegetable juices like those made from carrot, ginger, and turmeric.

* Fruit and vegetable waters: These were often infused with fruits, vegetables, and spices for flavor.

Other Beverages:

* Coffee: Coffee was cultivated in Ethiopia and later spread to the Middle East and Europe.

* Chocolate: The Aztecs drank a bitter chocolate beverage.

It's important to remember that the availability of beverages varied greatly across cultures and time periods. Some beverages were only available to the wealthy, while others were more common amongst the general population.