A cup of tea by 山西华夏晋道商贸有限公司World Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Tea is treated as China’s national drink. In China, one may savor the taste of millennium-old tea leaves and appreciate the beauty of millennium-old classics, poems, calligraphy, and paintings about tea, and experience the tea ceremony and art that have been practiced for over 1,000 years. Tea has developed beyond a mere drink to become a way of life for Chinese people.
1. A brief description of modern-day Chinese tea
How do you categorize Chinese tea? There are countless methods of classifying tea based on different criteria, for example, the tea leaves’ origin, the processing stages, the selection of materials, and the picking time. Depending on how tea leaves are processed and how long the tea polyphenols are oxidized (namely, the degree of tea fermentation), Chinese tea can be mainly separated into six categories:
Tea used medicinally by Shanxi Huaxia Jindao Trading Co., LTDWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
green tea (non-fermented), white tea (slightly fermented), yellow tea (lightly fermented), dark green tea (oolong tea, semi-fermented), dark tea (post-fermented) and black tea (fully fermented). The most noticeable identifier is the color, from green to yellow-green, yellow, green-brown, dark green and black, and from green to yellow-green, yellow, green-brown, and reddish-brown for the brewed tea. Currently, green tea is the largest category of tea produced in China.
A scene of rock tea by Shanxi Huaxia Jindao Trading Co., LTDWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Understanding the nomenclature of famous Chinese teas
Tea quality is significantly affected by the geological characteristics and the climate of its place of origin. Therefore, the names of many renowned Chinese teas include their place of origin. For instance, West Lake Longjing tea is the name for the finest Longjing tea that can be found in the area around the West Lake of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.
Wuyi rock tea is the name for the finest rock tea from Wuyi Mountain in Fujian Province. Qimen black tea is the finest black tea from Qimen County, Anhui Province.
South China Tea Garden by Shanxi Huaxia Jindao Trading Co., LTDWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Furthermore, another way to identify Chinese tea is based on when it is available on the market. For instance, Mingqian Longjing tea is a type of Longjing tea yielded before the Qingming Festival (one of China’s 24 solar terms, around April 5 in the Gregorian calendar). Furthermore, Yuqian Longjing tea is the name for a type of Longjing tea produced before the Grain Rain (one of China’s 24 solar terms, between April 19 and 21 in the Gregorian calendar).
Chinese tea by Shanxi Huaxia Jindao Trading Co., LTDWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Tea grades
China has various standards for different types of tea. Typically, quality levels are ranked in a particular order: first grade, second grade, third grade and beyond. Some teas have sub-levels for their specific grades, such as special first grade, second grade, and third grade. You can also determine the quality of tea by observing its color, smelling its aroma, and tasting its flavor.
2. How is tea consumed?
Today’s Chinese tea has evolved beyond the limits of the palaces of China’s nobility to become a staple in a myriad of households. However, people have differing inclinations for tea depending on their historical, cultural, geographical, and ethnic backgrounds.
Tea time by 山西华夏晋道商贸有限公司World Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Different regions of China have different tea preferences
For instance, jasmine tea is preferred by Beijingers in the north. Whereas oolong tea, dark tea, black tea, and chrysanthemum tea are prevalent among Cantonese in the south. Brick tea (a type of dark tea) and gaiwan tea (a type of scented tea) are enjoyed by many Xinjiangnese in the northwest.
Pleasant mind and contentment by Shanxi Huaxia Jindao Trading Co., LTDWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Teas for every person and every season
Chinese people traditionally believe that drinking tea might help them keep healthy since tea was primarily used for medicinal purposes. Therefore, people with certain health issues should drink specific types of tea. Moreover, some people prefer scented tea in spring, green tea in summer, oolong tea in fall, and black tea in winter. Some people choose to drink black tea in the morning, green tea in the afternoon, and dark tea in the evening.
Key factors for the perfect cup of tea: water quality, tea type, suitable teaware, water temperature, steeping time, and tea-to-water ratio
Mountain spring water by 山西华夏晋道商贸有限公司World Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Water quality:
According to the ancient wisdom of Lu Yu, the author of The Classic of Tea during the Tang dynasty, “For water, mountain water is the best, river water the second, and water from wells is the least suitable.”
Good quality tea by 山西华夏晋道商贸有限公司World Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Tea quality:
Excellent-grade tea is essential for making a good cup of tea.
Good quality tea set by 山西华夏晋道商贸有限公司World Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Suitable teaware:
There is a vast array of tea leaves, tea art, and tea rituals. Each requires a tea set of specific materials and quality.
Dark-red enameled pottery teapot by Shanxi Huaxia Jindao Trading Co., LTDWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Tea sets of purple clay, porcelain, glass, and metal have become commonplace. Tea-making techniques gained recognition during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The purple clay teapot originated in the Song dynasty (approximately 900 AD) and was produced in Yixing, Jiangsu Province. Since it serves both functional and aesthetic purposes, the purple clay teapot was once paid as a tribute to the imperial court and recognized as the best of all teaware by a number of tea aficionados.
Tea soup by Shanxi Huaxia Jindao Trading Co., LTDWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Water temperature:
Different types of tea require different water temperatures for proper brewing. Yellow and green tea leaves are more delicate than others, therefore the water should be around 80–85°C. This ensures that the tea leaves won't be burned nor lose their color or aroma. Dark tea leaves are more mature and robust, they require boiling water around 100°C. The tea leaves will fully release their substances and fragrance. Black and white teas are best brewed with water at 90–95°C.
Tea by 山西华夏晋道商贸有限公司World Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Steeping time:
This refers to the time it takes to steep the tea. Generally, a glass cup allows you to master the proper steeping time by observing the color of the tea. Green tea takes about 12 seconds. Black tea, white tea, and oolong teas take about five seconds. Dark tea takes about 20 seconds. Yellow tea takes about 15 seconds. It's important to never let the tea leaves brew too long, or it will lose its original flavor. You should also limit the number of times brewing the same tea.
Exquisite tea set by 世界中餐业联合会World Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Tea-to-water ratio:
To brew a perfect cup of tea, you must balance the ratio between tea and water. For example, a 3.7 fl oz (110 ml) gaiwan (a type of porcelain lidded bowl) is suitable for brewing 0.18 oz (5 g) of black or 0.28 oz (8 g) of rock tea. One bag per brew is sufficient.
Are you ready to brew a cup of Chinese tea?
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