Explain the Indian legend regarding the discovery of tea as described in 'Tea from Assam'.
Answer
According to the Indian legend, an ancient Buddhist ascetic named Bodhidharma cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditations; ten tea plants grew out of his eyelids, whose leaves when boiled in water and drunk banished sleep.
Step-by-step solution
- Identify the legendary figure mentioned in the text: Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic.
- Explain the cause: Bodhidharma cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during his meditations.
- Explain the outcome: Ten tea plants grew out of his eyelids, and the leaves of these plants, when put in hot water and drunk, banished sleep.
Common mistake: Mixing up details of the Indian legend of Bodhidharma with the Chinese emperor's legend of boiling leaves.
Concept tested: Indian legend of tea origin
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