Lu Yu

(733 - 804)

Lu Yu is the author of The Classic of Tea, commissioned by tea merchants after the drink had begun growing in popularity. With descriptions of leaf varieties, preparation techniques, and an early version of the tea ceremony, the book, the oldest of its kind, marks him as the father of Chinese tea culture. Having already been associated with Zen Buddhist meditation, tea became so popular in the Tang dynasty that an official organization in charge of it was formed in 770. Lu’s book is the first comprehensive work dedicated to tea. He became so well-known that statuettes of him were distributed by tea sellers.