Hello, I’m Wen Young. I’m passionate about tea tasting and appreciation, and I’m dedicated to sharing the profound and vast culture of tea. Here, I will share everything about tea with you. I hope that through my sharing, you can feel the charm of tea and together, we can savor this unique flavor from the East.
Tea, this fragrant gift from the ancient East, has not only steeped itself into the long history of the Chinese nation but has also blossomed with its unique charm across the globe. As the birthplace of tea, China holds a pivotal position in the world with its deep-rooted tea culture.
From a tribute for royalty to a daily staple for the common person, from serene tea rooms to bustling city markets, the diversity and richness of tea culture are vividly displayed across the land of China.
01. The History of Chinese Tea
Origin:
Legend has it that Shennong, the Divine Farmer, discovered tea leaves while tasting hundreds of herbs. This discovery marked the beginning of tea’s history. Initially, tea was used as a medicinal herb and later gradually evolved into a daily beverage.
Development:
Tea culture has developed over thousands of years. The Tang Dynasty’s tea ceremony, the Song Dynasty’s whipped tea (dian cha), and the Ming and Qing Dynasties’ steeped tea (pao cha)—each era had its unique tea-drinking customs, and tea culture continuously evolved with societal progress.
Influence:
Via the Silk Road, China’s tea culture and tea leaves spread to all corners of the world, influencing global tea-drinking habits. Tea became an ambassador of cultural exchange.
02. The Six Major Types of Chinese Tea
Green Tea:
Known for its fresh taste and rich nutritional value.
- Xihu Longjing (West Lake Dragon Well): From the West Lake district of Hangzhou, it is famous for its flat, smooth leaves and a unique nutty aroma.
- Biluochun: From Lake Tai in Jiangsu, it is known for its tightly curled, snail-like shape and fresh fragrance.
Black Tea:
Fully oxidized teas like:
- Keemun: From Qimen County in Anhui, it is beloved for its mellow flavor and warm color.
- Lapsang Souchong: From the Wuyi Mountains in Fujian, it is one of the world’s oldest black teas.
Oolong Tea (Qing Cha):
Semi-oxidized teas such as:
- Tie Guan Yin (Iron Goddess of Mercy): From Anxi County in Fujian, it is famous for its intense aroma and complex, evolving flavor.
- Da Hong Pao (Big Red Robe): From the Wuyi Mountains in Fujian, it is renowned for its unique mineral “rock rhyme” (yan yun).
White Tea:
Lightly oxidized teas like:
- Baihao Yinzhen (Silver Needle): From Fuding in Fujian, it is favored for its elegant taste and health benefits.
- Bai Mudan (White Peony): From Zhenghe in Fujian, it is named for its leaf shape, which resembles a peony flower.
Yellow Tea:
A unique “smothering” process gives yellow tea its distinct aroma and taste.
- Junshan Yinzhen (Junshan Silver Needle): From Yueyang in Hunan.
- Mengding Huangya (Mengding Yellow Sprout): From Ya’an in Sichuan, it is loved for its bright yellow leaves and mellow flavor.
Dark Tea:
Post-fermented teas such as:
- Pu’er: From Yunnan, it is sought after for its aging potential and unique flavor profile.
- Liubao: From Wuzhou in Guangxi, it is known for its unique “wet-piling” process and aged character.
03. Tea Processing
Plucking:
The standards and seasons for plucking vary for different types of tea. From spring to autumn, each tea leaf carries the essence of its season.
Kill-Green (Shaqing):
This is a key step in making green and oolong teas. Its purpose is to stop the enzymatic oxidation in the leaves, preserving their green color. This process is usually done at high temperatures to rapidly deactivate the enzymes in the leaves.
Oxidation (Fermentation):
The level of oxidation determines the type of tea. Green tea is unoxidized, black tea is fully oxidized, and oolong tea is semi-oxidized. During oxidation, the chemical compounds in the leaves change, affecting the tea’s color, aroma, and taste.
Drying:
Drying is crucial for preserving tea. By controlling the moisture content, the quality and flavor of the tea are ensured. During this process, moisture is removed from the leaves to prevent mold and further oxidation.
Special Processes:
Unique techniques like the “smothering” (men huang) for yellow tea and “wet-piling” (wo dui) for dark tea give them their distinctive flavors. The smothering process uses controlled humidity and temperature to create a unique aroma during oxidation. Wet-piling is a fermentation process unique to teas like Pu’er, where leaves are stacked and turned to promote post-fermentation.
04. Tea Tasting and Brewing
Tasting:
To appreciate tea, one must observe its color, smell its aroma, taste its flavor, and admire its shape. Each step is a profound understanding of the tea.
- Green Tea: Focus on its fresh aroma and crisp taste. The color should be bright green and the leaves whole.
- Black Tea: Look for a mellow taste and warm color, with a rich aroma.
- Oolong Tea: Has a complex, ever-changing fragrance, a full-bodied flavor, and a noticeable returning sweetness (huigan).
- White Tea: Features an elegant aroma and a fresh, sweet flavor. The leaves resemble silver needles or peonies.
- Yellow Tea: Has a fresh aroma, a crisp taste, and a bright yellow liquor.
- Dark Tea: Known for a significant aged aroma and a mellow, smooth flavor, suitable for long-term aging.
Brewing:
Different types of tea require different water temperatures, brewing vessels, and methods. The right brewing technique can bring out the best flavor of the tea leaves.
- Green Tea: Brew with 80-85°C water for 2-3 minutes. A glass or porcelain pot is suitable.
- Black Tea: Brew with 90-95°C water for 3-5 minutes. A porcelain or Yixing clay pot is recommended.
- Oolong Tea: Use 95-100°C water. Start with a 5-45 second infusion, increasing by 10 seconds for each subsequent steep. A Yixing clay pot or gaiwan (lidded bowl) is best.
- White Tea: Use 85-90°C water for 3-5 minutes. A glass or porcelain pot is ideal.
- Yellow Tea: Brew with 80-85°C water for 2-3 minutes. A glass or porcelain pot is recommended.
- Dark Tea: Use 95-100°C water for 1-2 minutes. A Yixing clay pot or porcelain pot is suitable.
05. Tea Storage
Storage Principles:
Keep it dry, dark, and sealed. These are the fundamental principles for storing tea, protecting it from environmental factors.
Storage Methods for Different Teas:
- Green Tea: Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator’s cold compartment. This slows oxidation and preserves its fresh taste and green appearance. Avoid storing it with strong-smelling foods, as green tea easily absorbs odors.
- Black Tea: Store in a dry, cool, well-ventilated place. An airtight canister will protect it from moisture and odors. Since black tea is fully oxidized, it does not require refrigeration but should be kept away from direct sunlight and high heat.
- Oolong Tea: Best stored in an airtight container, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Some high-quality oolongs, like Tie Guan Yin, can be refrigerated to preserve their aroma. Oolong has a strong fragrance, so keep it away from other items with strong smells.
- White Tea: Can be stored in a sealed container in a cool, dry place. Its light oxidation allows it to age slowly under the right conditions, developing more complex flavors over time. The storage environment should be clean and free from moisture and odors.
- Yellow Tea: Storage is similar to green tea. Keep it in a sealed container in the refrigerator to maintain its unique aroma and taste. Its “smothering” process makes it sensitive to humidity and temperature, so avoid high heat and damp environments.
- Dark Tea: Especially Pu’er, needs to age in a ventilated, dry, and odor-free environment. Proper humidity and temperature facilitate the post-fermentation process, developing richer flavors. Avoid storing dark tea in a sealed container, as this will halt its aging process. Also, keep it away from direct sunlight and high heat.
By following these detailed storage methods, we can better protect and preserve all kinds of tea, ensuring they display their best quality and flavor when consumed. Proper storage not only extends the shelf life of tea but also enhances its unique characteristics.
06. Tea’s Benefits and Health
Health Benefits of Different Teas:
- Green Tea: Rich in antioxidants, especially EGCG, which may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Some studies suggest its antioxidants might help prevent certain types of cancer. The moderate caffeine content can refresh the mind and improve focus.
- Black Tea: Contains theaflavins, which may help lower cholesterol levels, benefiting cardiovascular health. It can help enhance heart function and improve circulation. Its higher caffeine content is effective for improving mental concentration.
- Oolong Tea: The tea polyphenols it contains may help reduce blood lipids, aiding in weight management. Its antioxidants help fight free radicals and slow the aging process. It can also aid digestion and reduce feelings of greasiness after a meal.
- White Tea: Its antioxidants can help boost the immune system and fight infections. It has anti-inflammatory properties that may help alleviate symptoms of inflammatory diseases. The antioxidants also help protect the skin from environmental damage.
- Yellow Tea: Helps promote digestion, making it particularly suitable for drinking after meals. It contains a moderate amount of caffeine that can refresh the mind. Its antioxidants help combat free radicals and protect body cells.
- Dark Tea: Especially Pu’er, helps improve gut flora and promote digestion. It can help lower blood lipids, which is beneficial for cardiovascular health. The microbial fermentation products in dark tea may aid in weight management.
Each type of tea offers unique health benefits, partly derived from specific chemical components like antioxidants, tea polyphenols, and caffeine. Drinking different types of tea in moderation can bring various health advantages. Of course, individual reactions to tea may vary, so one should consider personal health conditions when drinking it.
07. Tea Culture and Life
Tea Ceremony and Tea Art:
The spirit of the Chinese tea ceremony (cha dao) and the performance of tea art (cha yi) are not just the art of drinking tea but also a philosophy of life. The core principles of the tea ceremony spirit—harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility (he, jing, qing, ji)—reflect core cultural values.
Tea and Socializing:
Tea always plays an important role in social occasions like business negotiations and family gatherings. The sharing and appreciation of tea have become a bridge for communication and connection among people.
Tea and Art:
The combination of tea with art forms like poetry and painting showcases the deep cultural heritage of tea. The Tang Dynasty poet Lu Tong’s “Seven Bowls of Tea Song” and the tea paintings of the Song Dynasty are classic examples of the fusion of tea culture and art.
08. The International Spread of Tea
Global Influence:
Chinese tea culture has had a profound impact on global drinking habits. With the international trade of tea, Chinese tea culture was also brought to different parts of the world. For instance, the British tradition of afternoon tea was gradually formed during the course of tea trade with China. Today, afternoon tea is a part of British culture, a time for people to enjoy tea and snacks and to relax and socialize.
Cultural Exchange Activities:
Various international tea culture festivals are held to promote tea culture exchange between different countries. These events are not only a stage for showcasing the tea cultures of various nations but also a great opportunity for tea lovers to learn about and experience different tea traditions. Through these activities, tea culture is spread globally, which in turn promotes its development and innovation.
In short, China’s tea culture has not only influenced global drinking habits but has also gained wider dissemination and recognition through international exchange. This exchange makes tea culture more rich and colorful and allows people from all over the world to share and experience the beauty of tea.
Conclusion
Tea, this mystical liquid from the East, not only nourishes the body but also enriches the soul. Its story, from ancient times to the present, from East to West, continues to unfold. With every tasting, let us not only savor its aroma but also feel the tranquility and harmony it brings.
Tea is a bridge connecting the past and the future, a bond for cultural exchange. May this cup of tea forever warm the heart.