I have such a passion for tea that I do a lot of research about it. I know tea has been around a while, not quite back to Biblical times, but I wondered about the uses of herbs in that era.
No, the Bible never directly mentions tea as we know it today.
Tea drinking originated in China thousands of years ago and didn’t reach the Middle East or Europe until long after the Bible was written. By the time of the Old and New Testaments, people in the biblical world were drinking things like:
• Water (the most common daily drink)
• Wine (often diluted with water)
• Milk (from cows, goats, or sheep)
• Herbal infusions (like mint, chamomile, or other plants) — but these weren’t called “tea” and usually had medicinal purposes
Sometimes people think the Bible might be talking about tea when it refers to herbs or leaves, but those are about plants used for food, healing, or ritual, not the Camellia sinensis plant used for tea today.
I can show you what ancient biblical-era “herbal drinks” were like — they might be the closest thing to tea in Bible times.
Tea in Bible Times (Sort Of)
When you curl up with a warm cup of tea, you’re probably not picturing Moses, King David, or the Apostle Paul doing the same. But while the Bible never mentions tea as we know it (Camellia sinensis didn’t make its way from China until centuries later), the people of the Bible did enjoy herbal drinks that were surprisingly “tea-like.”
And honestly? Some of them sound delicious.
No Earl Grey in Ancient Israel
Tea leaves weren’t part of the Middle Eastern pantry back then — but boiling herbs, flowers, seeds, and fruit in water was a common way to flavor drinks, preserve health, and soothe the body.
Herbal “Teas” Mentioned in Scripture
Here are some Bible-era infusions that could have passed for tea at your local market today:
Infusion
- Mint Infusion
• Reference: Matthew 23:23
• Mint leaves were valued for their refreshing taste and ability to aid digestion. Imagine a hot mint “tea” sweetened with honey on a cool desert evening. - Hyssop Brew
• Reference: Psalm 51:7
• Hyssop had a strong, fragrant taste and was used for purification. Steep the leaves, and you’ve got an earthy, cleansing herbal drink. - Fennel or Anise Seed Tea
• Reference: Matthew 23:23 (some translations use “anise” or “dill”)
• Boil the seeds for a gentle, sweet flavor — great for calming the stomach after a feast. - Pomegranate Blossom Infusion
• References: Numbers 20:5, Song of Solomon 4:3
• Dried pomegranate flowers or peel steeped in hot water made a tangy, vitamin-rich drink. - Date Palm Sweet Water
• Reference: 2 Samuel 6:19
• Dates boiled in water create a naturally sweet “tea” — the biblical equivalent of a dessert latte.
How They Drank It
- Brewed in clay or bronze pots.
- Served warm or cooled, depending on the season.
- Often sweetened with honey and used for health more than leisure.
Why This is Fun for Tea Lovers Today
If you’ve ever tried herbal blends without tea leaves, you’re sipping something closer to what biblical people enjoyed. The next time you make mint tea or pomegranate tisane, you can smile and think — “I’m basically drinking like King Solomon.”
Key Takeaway
The Bible never mentions tea, but ancient herbal infusions played a similar role: comfort, health, and a little taste of beauty in daily life.
I enjoy receiving questions and comments from site visitors, you can leave yours below – Shirley
This is such a thought-provoking post! I love the way it delves into whether the Bible actually mentions tea—and you handled it with clarity and grace. You rightly point out that tea isn’t mentioned explicitly, though the idea of using herbal leaves for infusion does show up in scripture, often tied to healing and well-being. It’s a great reminder of our rich traditions of hospitality and finding comfort in simple rituals. One question I have: when you think about offering a warm cup and quiet conversation—like over tea—what Bible verse or story comes to mind for you that highlights the power of fellowship or simple conversation?
Leah. Thanks for your comment and question. Here’s a great verse that encourages us to be hospitable.
Hebrews 13:2 (NIV)
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
-Shirley
It’s interesting how tea, centuries later, evolved from a medicinal drink into a daily ritual of comfort or social connection. Do you think we’ve moved too far from the original mindset of using nature primarily for healing rather than just pleasure? Have we moved too far from the original mindset of turning to nature primarily for healing, balance, and restoration, rather than just for flavor or comfort? And if so, what might it look like to return to that more intentional, respectful use of what the earth provides?
My own opinion is that our Creator has provided we, His human creations with all that we need to survive and be healthy. I’m a great advocate of natural healing methods. Thanks for your comments and question. -Shirley