Tea has a long history, dating back more than 5,000 years. It is widely believed that tea originated in China and was introduced to Japan in the 9th century. It is believed that Buddhist monks first brought tea plants from China and began drinking them in temples. Tea became popular among the nobility during the Heian period, and the foundations of the tea ceremony, in particular, are said to have been laid during this period. In recent years, the 1950s and 1970s saw a rapid diversification and Westernization of food, along with the rapid Westernization of beverages. Green tea, which requires laborious preparation in a teapot, rapidly lost popularity. Meanwhile, oolong tea, which suited the diversifying food culture, gained attention and became a major hit. Around this time, Ito En began selling canned oolong tea. The subsequent popularity of bottled tea changed our perception of tea from something “drinkable at home” and “brewed in a teapot” to something “bought and consumed anytime, anywhere.”