China's tea culture is a treasure trove of traditions that have evolved over millennia and have a profound impact on both society and personal spirituality. The rich and fascinating tea culture originated in ancient China and has since spread throughout the world as a source of calm, reflection and socializing. Take a trip to the Far East and learn more about China's tea culture.
The history of tea in China stretches back to around 2500 BC). According to legend, the tea was discovered by Emperor Shen Nung (2737-2697 BC). The emperor used to drink hot water, but one day while he was on a trip, three leaves from a tea tree fell into the boiling water. A wonderful fragrance rose from the pot, and the emperor tasted the water and found it refreshing. From that day he started drinking tea regularly.
Today, China is the world's largest producer of tea, and for many Chinese, tea is also a way of life, known as "cha dao", which means the way of tea. About 35% of the world's total tea production comes from China, while they themselves eat and drink ⅔ of the tea they produce.
When visiting the traditional tea houses or tea shops in China, the tea is often brewed using the "gongfu cha" method. This method involves brewing the tea in small pots, preferably made of yixing clay, or in chawan/gaiwan, which are small tea bowls with lids. The tea is enjoyed without sugar and milk. The teahouses disappeared for a period under Mao when they were considered a place for pointless discussions and a waste of time. But they have had a renaissance in recent years, as the new middle class demands more unique tea experiences.
In Hong Kong's cha chaan teng cafes, you can enjoy the famous milk tea, which gets its characteristic softness by being poured through tea filters that look like silk stockings – hence the nickname: silk stocking milk tea. In addition, you often drink jasmine and puerh tea during yum cha, i.e. when you eat dim sum, or lemon tea.
We love green tea at Nordic Tea - primarily because of the tea's clean, delicate taste and beautiful colour. But is green tea healthy? A new study indicates that there may be something to the matter.
