A World of Tea: China

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. This rich and fascinating tea culture originated in ancient China and has since spread throughout the world as a source of calm, reflection, and social interaction. Join us on a journey to the Far East and learn more about China's tea culture.

The Tea Culture in China

The history of tea in China dates back to around 2500 BC. According to legends, 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 aroma rose from the pot, and the emperor tasted the water and found it refreshing. From that day on, he began to drink 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." Approximately 35% of the world's total tea production comes from China, while they themselves consume ⅔ of the tea they produce.

When visiting traditional teahouses or tea shops in China, tea is often brewed using the "gongfu cha" method. This method involves brewing tea in small teapots, often made of Yixing clay, or in chawan/gaiwan, which are small tea bowls with lids. The tea is enjoyed without sugar and milk. Teahouses disappeared for a period under Mao, as they were considered a place for meaningless discussions and a waste of time. However, they have experienced 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 creaminess by being poured through tea filters that resemble silk stockings – hence the nickname: silk stocking milk tea. In addition, jasmine and puerh tea are often drunk during yum cha, i.e., when eating dim sum, or lemon tea.