An Introduction to Chinese Tea
Summer Palace
Article by George Picard
China is the homeland of tea. At present, more than forty countries in the world grow tea with Asian countries producing 90% of the world's total output. China alone produces more than 500 types of tea. Tea is a very traditional drink in China and in a lot of countries in Europe and the Western world as well. China is also one of the earliest countries in the world to make alcohol and the history can be traced back to prehistoric times. Since its appearance, it is not just a kind of drink, but is also endowed with spiritual and cultural values which reflects in social political life, literature, aesthetic idea and manner of life.
Chinese tea is more than just a plant or a drink, it is deeply connected with the Chinese culture and in a way with people in general. The making of good tea requires the cooperation between people and nature, only when people work in unison with nature can the goal of good tea be achieved. Chinese tea is the main drink served in restaurants. Other types of drinks are available, but tea is considered to be the most refreshing, especially after the consumption of oily food. Chinese tea is an indispensable part of the life of the Chinese culture. A Chinese saying identifies the seven basic daily necessities as fuel, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea.
Chinese tea is rich in physiologically active alkaloids, and it is important to vigorously boil the water to gain maximum benefit from the tea. Chinese tea is of various kinds, mainly of red tea, green tea and scented tea. The scented tea is fragrant with flowers and is liked by the Chinese people. Chinese tea is the best because of where it is grown.
Chinese tea is a beverage, Chinese tea is a pass time, and Chinese tea is a culture. Chinese tea is basically the dried and processed leaves of only one species of plant called camellia sinensis. Interestingly enough, herbal teas or herbal infusions are not really teas, but simply dried flowers and/or herbs. Chinese tea is a great, reasonably priced g! ift, esp ecially when attractively wrapped in souvenir packaging. Hong Kong has a large variety of teas imported from different Chinese provinces and cities, such as Fujian's Ti-guan-yin tea, Hangzhou's Dragon Well tea and Yunnan's Pu-erh tea.
Chinese tea is still highly esteemed throughout the world. Indeed, the lesson of how one Chinese herb has profoundly influenced world trade is worth examining, especially as China has now taken her place in the international commercial marketplace. Chinese tea is well-known for its rich variety, including the top ten Chinese tea types, among which green tea plays a dominant role. In fact, 80% of the green tea worldwide is produced in China.
Chinese tea is not available in the supermarket. It can be purchased from stores in the Chinatowns of large American cities. Chinese tea is made using a roasting method. It is roasted early in the production process to stop the oxidation of tea leaves.
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