China is known as the place of origin for tea, a beverage of global appeal.

An archeological discovery in the northwestern province of Shaanxi has produced some luxury tea leaves from over a thousand years ago.

The tea leaves were found attached to the inside of a copper container. It was unearthed at the Lu Family Cemetery. Experts have concluded that the leaves are of a luxury variety known as White Tea.

Back then, it was cultivated on a large scale in the eastern province of Fujian. The tomb's occupant was a senior government official and well-known scholar.

During the Song Dynasty from the 10th to the 13th century, tea drinking reached its first height in China. Scholar-officials became fascinated with the taste.