The first instance of a plum and a pear being added to a pot of steeping hot tea is believed to have occurred over a thousand years ago in China. China is the only country in which plum, and pear trees both grow in the wild. Everywhere else, one or the other has been imported and cultivated. The ancient Chinese made great use of their natural bounty and were great culinary experimenters, a characteristic that saw the invention of many, many, tea variations. They believed that both of these particular fruits when added to fresh tea had the ability to soothe and calm the nerves. Brew a pot today and savor the acidic subtleties of both fruits as they steep together. This is a wonderfully fresh tasting tea that is as good over ice as it is piping hot - either way it's simply delicious.