Who discovered tea as a beverage?

It's impossible to pinpoint exactly who *discovered* tea as a beverage, as it likely occurred gradually and organically. Here's what we know:

* Ancient origins: Tea has been consumed in China for thousands of years. Legends suggest it was discovered accidentally around 2737 BC by Emperor Shennong, who, according to legend, was poisoned by a leaf that fell into his boiling water, and the tea's bitter taste relieved his symptoms.

* Cultural development: Over centuries, tea cultivation and drinking became a significant part of Chinese culture, evolving from a medicinal drink to a social beverage.

* Spread to other regions: Tea eventually spread to other parts of Asia, then to Europe and beyond.

So, while we can't definitively say who *discovered* tea, we know that its history is long and intertwined with Chinese culture and tradition.