Tea had many names before it was called "tea," as well as many amusing nicknames. Why not have a cup of tea and explore what it was once called...

Marquis of Sleeplessness

The term originates from Zhang Hua's Records of the Investigation of Things from the Western Jin Dynasty, which states: "Drinking genuine tea reduces sleepiness, hence tea is gloriously named 'Marquis of Sleeplessness,' praising its effects." This nickname highlights tea's ability to ward off drowsiness.

Water Calamity

During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, tea was jokingly called "Water Calamity." The story goes that a high-ranking official named Wang Meng during Emperor Hui of Jin's reign was obsessed with tea. Anyone passing by his home was invited in for a session, much to the dismay of non-tea drinkers. To avoid offending him, guests reluctantly drank, leading scholars to quip, "Today, we face another 'Water Calamity'!"

Leaking Shadow Spring

This term refers to a playful tea preparation method popular during the Song Dynasty, as recorded in Tao Gu's Qing Yi Lu. It involved cutting decorative patterns from paper, placing them in a tea cup, sprinkling tea powder, and then removing the paper to create an artistic display. Other ingredients were added to form an intricate "tea painting" before brewing. Thus, tea earned the whimsical name "Leaking Shadow Spring."