Another legend attributes the discovery of tea to a Buddhist monk, Bodhi Dharma. He traveled to China as a missionary, and vowed to meditate day and night without sleeping. He did this for seven years, until one day he accidentally fell asleep. When he awoke, he was so distraught that he tore off his eyelids to prevent him for dozing again. It is said that the first tea plant grew in the ground where his eyelids fell.

This is the first and most likely the only time I will share this story. It is not nearly as visually appealing when explaining the history of tea!