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 common beverage in the World of Avatar, especially in the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation. It is made from a variety of leaves, which are immersed in hot water, and drunk immediately. No milk or sugar is added.

Almost any person from any nation has drunk tea. The only nation who does not actively drink tea is the Water Tribe, though any of its citizens who have travelled will have drunk tea. It is unknown how actively the Air Nomads drank tea.

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". It is often confused with the poisonous White Jade.



Jasmine
Apparently a very soothing and calming tea, and a favorite of General Iroh. He is seen offering it to Zuko in The Boy in the Iceberg.

Ginseng
Apparently a Fire Nation favorite, Iroh enjoys many good cups of this tea at Zhao's base during The Southern Air Temple. Iroh claims that ginseng tea is his personal favorite.

Lychee
One of the many teas made in Iroh's tea shop, this tea is vastly enjoyed by the wealthy citzens of the Earth Kingdom. It can be assumed this tea is made from Leechi Nuts.

Green
Green Tea is one of the many teas served in Iroh's Teashop. It is enjoyed by citzens of the Earth Kingdom.

Ginger
It is made from ginger roots. Used as medicine.

Chi-Enhancing
Natural stimulant tea. In warriors it improves strength and energy ten-fold.

Customs
Tea is customarily served to people of all statuses, whether its royalty or poverty stricken citzens. As hinted by Iroh, pouring someone's tea for them may be a sign of respect, or just simply an act of politeness.

Pao Family Tea house


The Pao Family Tea House is a teahouse 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 is a teahouse owned by Iroh in the upper ring of Ba Sing Se.

Notable Drinkers



 * Iroh is a big lover of tea, and risks even Firebending in the Earth Kingdom to heat his tea. When meeting a stranger, he always makes tea, like with Toph in The Chase and the thief in Tales of Ba Sing Se.

Real World Connection
Tea is also a very common drink in the real world, especially in Asia, from where the television show is influenced. Many of the types of teas in the Avatar World also exist in the real world.