China takes pride as the country where tea was first discovered and consumed. Tea is significantly woven to Chinese culture and it defines the way of life in China. As the birthplace, medicinal effects Chinese tea was discovered and its capability for profitable economic advancements. Up to this day, China holds 60% of tea plantations and harvesting of exclusive ingredients to create a particularly unique tea type are also manufactured in this country.
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Chinese Tea History
The practice of brewing and drinking tea in China originated during the time of Emperor Shennong – whose name is translated to “Divine Farmer”. Chinese people know him as the Father of Agriculture during ancient times. Several Chinese myths narrated that 5,000 years ago, Emperor Shennong was traveling with his troops during one summer day to visit one of the provinces of his realm.
He and his troops stopped to rest on farmland. The emperor asked his servants to boil water for them to rehydrate and refresh before proceeding to their journey. The day was a little bit windy and leaves accidentally fell from the boiling water thus the liquid gave a vibrant brown color. This was the first infusion that happened in history. Emperor Shennong still drank the infused water and found it fortifying. From then on, various leaves from nearby bushes and flower crops were gathered and permeated to boiling water.
In the following years, brewing and drinking tea became a phenomenon in China and it embellished their daily life. Scholars during that time wrote poems and stories about tea. For herbalists, they use tea as a home remedy to common colds and also to cure grave diseases. Also, tea became a prized possession when Emperors started giving Chinese tea to their officials and noblemen as gifts.
Chinese Tea Culture
There’s a Chinese saying that they only need seven necessities to survive the day: wood, fire, oil, salt, sauce (vinegar), rice, and tea. Last on the list, tea still plays an important role in their everyday lives. Chinese tea is considered art to its people, from harvesting, preparing, to choosing which cups and teapots to use, everything is translated to an art technique that is only mastered by the Chinese.
Harvesting
Farmers take pride in picking tea plants. The manner of harvesting is very conscientious to be able to generate the finest Chinese tea. In China, the people there are very reliant on their deities. That is why special rituals are performed before and after harvest for the Gods to bestow their blessings for good luck on their crops.
Furthermore, the Chinese government is very strict when it comes to the production of tea in China. Despite being one of the greatest contributors in their economy, manufacturing particularly local Chinese tea is measured and controlled. China holds the majority of the scarce ingredients that are used to create fine Chinese tea. To preserve these ingredients, planting and harvesting are in high surveillance.
Drinking
Consuming Chinese tea is like a staple for its people. They never go a day without drinking a cup of it. They consider it as more important than water because it revitalizes their energy and aids nervous disorders. It is also common for Chinese people to drink tea before and after meals to ease food digestion.
Tasting
This method is very different from the normal drinking that people do. In China, tea tasting is a method to evaluate the precision of its taste and aroma. The taster should be able to examine and identify the quality of the tea through its color, smell, and flavor.
Ceremony
The Chinese tea ceremony was formed to appreciate and give respect to nature. Tea is discovered through the environment and the Chinese need to give thanks to its origin. The ceremony is very sacred and performed in a place where one can experience the tranquil presence of nature. As time goes by, Chinese tea ceremony evolved from being a religious activity to being celebrated in traditional and cultural events such as weddings, the birth of a child, significant life events, and many more.
Etiquette
Serving tea in China comes with several protocols. It is part of the Chinese tea culture experience to observe these manners as these actions create importance on the tea’s role in everyday Chinese life.
If you are server, here are the common etiquettes you should follow:
- Prepare a complete tea set; the tray must be complete of teacups, a teapot, tea leaf holder, tea strainer, and a pair of wet cloth.
- Serve the tea to your guests with both hands.
- Do not overfill their teacups, it is recommended to at least pour 80% of its content.
- Observe your guests and make sure to offer a refill every time their cup goes empty.
- Proper dress decorum must be observed.
If you are the guest, here are the common etiquettes you should follow:
- It is required to receive your teacup with both hands when being served.
- Smell the tea first and give a satisfactory nod to your host to show your gratitude.
- Drink in small sips only, avoid gulping the tea in one go.
- It is advisable not to cross your legs when sitting down during a tea party.
- Spitting the tea served to you and giving a disgusted facial expression is impolite.
- Smoking is strictly prohibited during tea parties. If you’re eager to finish a cigarette, it is advisable to go out of the venue first and politely inform your host.
Famous Chinese Tea
Chrysanthemum Tea
Chrysanthemum flowers are used for infusion and this certain Chinese tea type has been utilized in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years. The Chinese people consider chrysanthemum tea as a remedy for acne, flu, sore throat, fever, high blood pressure, inflammation, chest pain, dizziness, and varicose veins. The dried flowers of the chrysanthemum give the tea a vibrant yellow shade and soft flowery flavor that is similar to Chamomile.
Bao Hao Yin Zen (Silver Needle) Tea
Bao Hao Yin Zen is the famous white tea that is being enjoyed by most of the Chinese nowadays. This particular white Chinese tea came from buds of the Camellia Sinensis. White hairs are attached on the exterior of the bud which results in its silvery appearance. Bao Hao Yin Zen is the most expensive form of white tea since only the top buds of the Camellia Sinensis are used to make this tea. It is also said that the aroma of this tea is similar to dried grass and its taste is delicately sweet.
Lui An Gua Pian Green Tea
Hails from Anhi Province in China, Lui An Gua Pian is also known as “Melon Seeds” green tea. Processed leaves of Lui An Gua Pian is said to replicate the flat and oval outlook of melon seeds. Only the second leaf of the branch is used to produce the tea and it is lightly toasted and pan-fried to reduce the oxidation of its enzymes. Many emperors and dignitaries from ancient times fancy this type of tea because the flavor is very strong and tangy.
Wuyi Rock Tea
This particular Rock Tea is a variety of oolong tea that came from China and it only grows in the mountains of Wuyi. The province is famous for producing the best Chinese oolong tea and the area of plantation in Wuyi has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage. Wuyi Rock Tea is inspired by its mountainous characteristics; the tea provides a rocky mineral taste called “Yan Yun”. It is also one of the most expensive Chinese tea since the main source of its ingredients comes from the scarce Dao Hong Pao trees. Wuyi Rock Tea is considered a high-quality beverage because it is harvested from rocky terrains where the bushes are rich in minerals and not harmed by air pollution. Wuyi Rock Tea has a darker and smokier appearance with a rich taste of chocolate, tobacco, wood, and caramel.
Keemun Black Tea
One of the finest Chinese teas and is typically enjoyed during the autumn season. It is recognized as the Queen of Black Tea in China, this elegant black tea values aesthetics and art in Chinese tea culture. The beverage is not only simple, but tea is also actually a delicacy in China. Keemun Black Tea has the aroma of China’s spring rain and it is relished because of its velvety fruity flavor.
Xinyang Maojian Tea
This is a type of green tea that is considered as the most vibrant and flavorful of them all. It can also withstand the harsh cold winds as it is believed that the trees don’t wither during the winter. Many tea-enthusiasts from China consume this daily despite its priceless value in the market. Xinyang Maojian Green tea improves blood circulation and it reduces the risk of getting high cholesterol. An acceptable quality drinking of this kind of tea must consist of a bright green hue and an alluring liquor aroma. It is best consumed when the leaves are freshly plucked.
Junshan Yinzhen Tea
China holds the title of being the only manufacturer of Yellow Tea in the world. Junshan Yinzhen is included in the list of the most elegant yellow Chinese teas. Instead of being scattered directly to boiling water, the leaves of Junshan Yinzhen are bundled through a cloth first, making the green colors of the leaves turn yellow. It is also a method done to make the tea slightly oxidized. Nurtured from the soils of Junshan Island in China, the ground where it is planted gives the tea a mellow sugarcane taste.
Molihua Cha Tea
Molihua Cha Tea is an exquisite type of Chinese jasmine tea that goes through seven cycles of blending. A combination of green tea and jasmine flowers, Molihua Cha Tea is suitable for those who are just beginners in drinking tea. The taste is not intimidating and the scent has an inviting floral aroma. It also has an aphrodisiac effect on the drinkers and it also helps in calming the nerves. Molihua Cha Tea is the most recommended tea during Chinese tea parties and it is best enjoyed with companions around you.
Dianhong Tea
Of the highest qualities of black tea in China, Dianhong Tea is the most affordable of them all. The production of black tea spiked during the end of the Japanese invasion in China. The tea is meant for trading only and it is only placed in the coastal areas of the country. Due to the war, this particular black tea is highly demanded in the resistance zones. Access to free moving countries was limited during that time and the recession greatly affected China’s economy. To save the country from crisis, China took advantage of making the virgin mountains of Yunnan as a plantation of new black tea fields. In modern times, Diangong Tea acts as a “must buy ” souvenir and is used as a marketing tool to promote the tourism of Yunnan province.
Lapsang Souchong Tea
Lapsang Souchong is known as the “Smoky Black Tea” of China. A lot of folklore believes that it was the ancient traders’ doing why Lapsang Souchong has a smoky pine flavor. Traders during the Qing dynasty were looking for effective ways to preserve the tea plants. The Chinese army requested farmers to quicken the production of Lapsang Souchong for the troops thus skipping its detailed process of drying its leaves through sunlight. As an alternative, farmers dried them off by exposing the leaves through fire and pine wood. The result is profound and it defined the characteristics of Lapsang Souchong Tea today. Once consumed, the beverage elicits feelings of being in a campfire because of its woodsmoke flavor with lapses of bitterness.
Drinking tea is a cultural habit in China. It is embedded in China’s past, present, and future. It is also common that whenever we hear the word tea, people will mostly associate it to its origin country. The influence of Chinese tea has a special place in every sector – whether it is political, social, traditional, or cultural. For a thousand years, Chinese tea evolved from giving wealth and purpose to its people to being the most enriched content of their culture.
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