Tea

"neutral"

- Iroh: "Euch! This tea is nothing more than hot leaf juice!"

Zuko: "Uncle, that's what all tea is."

Iroh: "How could a member of my own family say something so horrible?



Tea is the most commonly served beverage in the World of Avatar, seen mostly in the provinces of the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation archipelago. It is made from a variety of leaves and herbs, which are immersed in hot water and drunk immediately. No additives, such as milk or sugar, are added to the brew.

Almost every person in the world has drunk tea at some point, due to its availability. Though relatively common, tea is not actively drunk in the Water Tribes.

The most notable drinker of tea was Iroh, who enjoyed it on a common basis, and had a life-long dream of opening a tea shop, something achieved when he opened the Jasmine Dragon in Ba Sing Se.

Chi-enhancement
Chi-enhancing tea is a natural stimulant. When drunk by members of the military, it improves strength and increases energy ten-fold. In an attempt to induce the Avatar State, General Fong gave Aang this tea, though he simply became hyper-active as a result.

The ingredients involved in the creation of this brew are not specified, though the intended effects and those seen on Aang suggest it may be the Avatar World's equivalent to caffeine.

Ginger
An herbal concoction, ginger tea is made through the use of ginger roots. It is primarily used as medicine.

Ginseng
A Fire Nation favorite, ginseng tea is seen served at Zhao's base. Iroh enjoyed many good cups of this tea during his stay at the base, and claims it to be his favorite upon leaving.

Green
Green tea is one of the many teas served in Iroh's teashop. It is enjoyed primarily by citizens of the Earth Kingdom.

Jasmine
Said to be a relatively soothing brew, jasmine tea is a favorite of Iroh. He is seen offering it to Zuko right after he saw the light that was caused when Aang was freed from the iceberg.

Lychee
A tea available in Iroh's teashop, this brew is vastly enjoyed by the citizens of the Earth Kingdom, specifically of Ba Sing Se. This tea is made from leechi nuts, and as such, is commonly found in many parts of the globe, due to the fruit's availability.

White jade
This is a tea made from the white jade bush. The plant was seen before, but the tea's first appearance was when Ming gave Iroh this tea in prison.

Spiced tea
A spiced tea commonly served in the Fire Nation archipelago.

White dragon
The white dragon bush is a plant that grows in the eastern Earth Kingdom. It produces tea that Iroh describes as, "so delicious, it's heartbreaking". Apparently, it is often confused with the poisonous white jade due to the plants' similar appearances and coloration.

Customs
Tea is customarily served to people of all statuses, whether royalty or poverty-stricken citizens. As hinted by Iroh, pouring someone's tea may be a sign of respect, or merely an act of politeness.

Pao Family Tea House
The Pao Family Tea House is a tea house in the Lower Ring of Ba Sing Se, owned by Pao. It enjoyed commercial success during the short period that Iroh worked there.

The Jasmine Dragon
The Jasmine Dragon was a tea house owned by Iroh and located in the Upper Ring of Ba Sing Se. It was frequented by the wealthy due to Iroh's reputation of being the best tea-maker in Ba Sing Se.

Real world connection
Tea is also a very common drink in the real world, especially in Asia, on which the television show is heavily influenced. Many types of teas in the Avatar World also exist in the real world.