Chinese tea is the national drink of China and one of the oldest beverages in the world. Chinese tea not only has a long history, but also has a rich classification and profound cultural connotations. This article will introduce the charm of Chinese tea from the following aspects.
The Origin and History of Chinese Tea
Chinese tea is one of the oldest beverages, and there is a legend about Shennong tasting hundreds of herbs. In Xishuangbanna, there is still a “Shennong Tea Tree”. Chinese tea went through four stages: discovery, drinking, cooking and art, forming various types of tea and tea culture. Lu Yu, a Tang Dynasty scholar, wrote “The Classic of Tea”, the world’s first tea monograph, and was known as the “Tea Saint”. In the history of Chinese tea, there were also events such as the Tea Horse Road, tea tax, and tea Zen, which reflected the economic, political and philosophical significance of tea.
The Classification of Chinese Tea
There are many methods to classify Chinese tea, and the most common one is to divide it according to the degree of fermentation of the tea leaves, which can be divided into six categories: green tea, white tea, yellow tea, oolong tea, black tea and dark tea. Each type of tea has its own characteristics, production techniques, and origin. Here is a brief introduction:
Green tea
It refers to unfermented tea, which retains the natural color, aroma and taste of the tea leaves. It is the oldest type of tea in China and also the most common type of tea in China. The production process of green tea mainly includes killing, rolling, and drying, which aims to prevent the oxidation and deterioration of the tea leaves and maintain their freshness. The representative varieties of green tea are West Lake Longjing, Huangshan Maofeng, Biluochun, Taiping Houkui, etc.
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White tea
It refers to slightly fermented tea, represented by Baihao Yinzhen and Bai Mudan, which is one of the most precious types of tea in China. The production process of white tea mainly includes picking, sunning, and baking, which aims to preserve the white hair color of the tea leaves and form its elegant style. The main producing areas of white tea are Fuding, Zhenghe, Songxi and other places in Fujian Province.
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Yellow tea
It refers to lightly fermented tea, represented by Junshan Yinzhen and Mengding Huangya, which is one of the rarest types of tea in China. The production process of yellow tea mainly includes killing, yellowing, rolling, and drying, which aims to make the tea leaves produce a special yellow pigment and form its mellow taste. The main producing areas of yellow tea are Yueyang in Hunan Province and Emei Mountain in Sichuan Province.
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Oolong tea
It refers to semi-fermented tea, represented by Tieguanyin and Dahongpao, which is one of the most distinctive types of tea in China. The production process of oolong tea mainly includes withering, shaking, killing, rolling, and baking, which aims to make the tea leaves produce a complex aroma and form its lively style. The main producing areas of oolong tea are Anxi, Wuyi Mountain, and Phoenix Mountain in Fujian Province and Guangdong Province.
Black tea
It refers to fully fermented tea, represented by Qimen black tea and Yunnan black tea, which is one of the most popular types of tea in China. The production process of black tea mainly includes withering, rolling, fermenting, and drying, which aims to make the tea leaves produce a red pigment and form its rich flavor. The main producing areas of black tea are Qimen in Anhui Province and Lincang and Xishuangbanna in Yunnan Province.
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Dark tea
It refers to post-fermented tea, represented by Pu’er tea and Anhua dark tea, which is one of the oldest types of tea in China. The production process of dark tea mainly includes rolling, piling, fermenting, and pressing, which aims to make the tea leaves undergo long-term microbial action and form their unique aroma and color. The main producing areas of dark tea are Pu’er and Anhua in Yunnan Province and Hunan Province.
The Connotation of Chinese Tea Culture
Chinese tea culture refers to the cultural phenomenon formed by the Chinese people in the long-term production and consumption of tea, which covers philosophy, aesthetics, morality, etiquette, art and other aspects. It is an important part of Chinese traditional culture. The core of Chinese tea culture is tea ceremony, which is a way of life and a spiritual realm that uses tea as a medium, Tao as a method, and people as a basis. The basic content of tea ceremony includes six aspects: tea utensils, tea water, tea leaves, tea method, tea art, and tea virtue. They are interrelated and form a complete system of tea ceremony. The purpose of tea ceremony is to achieve a state of tranquility, harmony, smoothness, and clarity through the process of tasting tea, and thus improve one’s cultivation and quality.
Chinese tea culture also has a profound impact on Chinese traditional literature, painting, etiquette and other aspects. Many famous literati and artists, such as Su Shi, Lu You, Li Bai, Du Fu and others, were tea lovers. They praised the beauty of tea, expressed their feelings for tea, and created many classic tea culture sentences in their poems, essays, novels and other literary works.
In Chinese traditional painting, there are also many works with tea as the theme, such as “Tea Flower Painting”, “Tea Mountain Painting”, “Tea Ceremony Painting”, etc. They show the natural beauty and cultural charm of tea, and reflect the aesthetic taste and life philosophy of the painters.
In Chinese traditional etiquette, there are also many norms and habits related to tea, such as offering tea, inviting tea, sending tea, returning tea, etc. They reflect the politeness and respect of the Chinese people, and enhance the communication and feelings between people.
The Transmission of Chinese Tea in the World
The history of the transmission of Chinese tea in the world can be traced back to before the Common Era, when Chinese tea had been transmitted to West Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and other places by land and sea. As time went by, the transmission range of Chinese tea expanded, involving Europe, Africa, America, Oceania and other places. The transmission of Chinese tea in the world not only promoted the development of economy and trade, but also promoted the exchange of culture and thought, and had a certain impact on other cultures.
The Bottom Line
Chinese tea is the national drink of China and one of the oldest beverages in the world. Chinese tea not only has a long history, but also has a rich classification and profound cultural connotations. The charm of Chinese tea is not only reflected in its diversity of color, aroma and taste, but also in its close connection with philosophy, aesthetics, morality, etiquette, art and other aspects. The transmission of Chinese tea in the world also promoted the development of economy and trade, and promoted the exchange of culture and thought, and had a certain impact on other cultures.
