Tea used medicinally by Shanxi Huaxia Jindao Trading Co., LTDWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Tea trees originated from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau in Southwest China. There are many legends regarding the origin of Chinese tea. The most famous is the mythological ruler Shennong found tea to act as an antidote against the poisonous effects of some 72 herbs in a single day that he tested on himself. According to legend, tea served dual roles about 4,700 years ago in China, initially as a medicinal remedy and subsequently an offering to the divine.
Tea soup by Shanxi Huaxia Jindao Trading Co., LTDWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Its history as a beverage spans over two millennia, as documented by the discovery of tea traces that date back to over 2,400 years in Zoucheng, Shandong, China. Tea drinking became a common practice and a way to express hospitality in China’s regions south of the Yangtze River during the 500 years from the Eastern Han dynasty to the Northern and Southern dynasties (25–589 AD).
The production and consumption of tea reached new heights during the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD), particularly around the middle of this period. Tea consumption spread throughout North and South China, giving rise to eight major tea-producing localities and several large-scale handcrafted tea workshops.
Seasons and Solar TermsWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Written by Lu Yu (733–804 AD) during the Tang dynasty, The Classic of Tea represents the world’s inaugural treatise dedicated to tea. It documents a wealth of information involving tea’s origins, varieties, nomenclatures, harvesting and processing tools, and manufacturing techniques. The Classic of Tea has transcended its position as a thorough agricultural guide to become an illuminating volume on tea culture, often admired as the encyclopedia of tea.
Tureen tea set by Shanxi Huaxia Jindao Trading Co., LTDWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Chinese tea spread all around the world through three primary routes: The first was forged by monks who brought tea leaves and tea culture back to the Korean peninsula and Japan after studying Buddhism in China.
The second route was paved by foreign diplomats and guests who received tea as high-end gifts from the imperial court and local authorities.
Covered bowl tea by Shanxi Huaxia Jindao Trading Co., LTDWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
The third route was generated by merchants who transported tea by land or sea to various regions across the globe.
Tasting tea by Shanxi Huaxia Jindao Trading Co., LTDWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
From the traditional method of boiling tea leaves as medicine or food during the Han and Tang dynasties to the refined art of stirring powdered tea in the Song dynasty (about 1,000 years ago) to the widespread method of steeping loose tea leaves in the Ming and Qing dynasties (about 600 years ago), tea drinking practices have evolved over time, and each period has left its mark on the current version.
To start a day, many people in China still rely on seven necessities: firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea. This illustrates how essential tea is in the daily lives of Chinese people.
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.