Chinese Tea Basics
Chinese tea is served in more and more families around the world today. But if you are new to it, what do you need to know about it?
The following are some of the basics that will fit neatly in your knowledge about Chinese tea. We hope this will make you already look like a Chinese tea expert.
As the national drink of China, tea has been around for over 4,000 years. To help you better understand how far back its history, the Chinese civilization is only 1,000 years older.
A popular Chinese legend says that the discovery of tea by Shen Nong-one of China’s most famous mythological figures-was more by luck than by fate. One day, Shen Nong noticed some leaves were blown into his pot of boiling water and produced a lovely, refreshing drink.
As the homeland of tea, China boasts itself with some of the world’s oldest tea plantations, where tea trees have been growing for over 2,700 years.
Considering these trees to be national treasure, the Chinese government sent troops to guard them 24/7.
Today, China produces 8 major classes of Chinese tea branching out hundreds of varieties. They are green tea, black tea, red tea, white tea, yellow tea, oolong tea, compressed tea, and flower-scented tea.
Of the great varieties of the Chinese teas, some of the most popular are Longjing(green), Da Hong Pao(oolong), Maojian(green), Pu’er(compressed), and Shuixian(oolong). The teas are greatly sought after by tea lovers worldwide.
The number of Chinese tea varieties may be many, but all of them are produced by just one species of plant: the Camellia Sinensis.
This plant loves acid soil nurtured in a warm climate. Camellia Sinensis shrubs are ever green, with the leaves growing 4-15 cm long and 2-5cm broad. The tea leaves to be processed are those young and tender ones.
The processing is the key to the type of tea coming out. Green tea is made by a short process to attain a natural flavor, while oolong and other teas have to be fermented long and hard to get a deep and crisp taste.
It has been known for centuries Chinese tea had a wide variety of health benefits. It can help you lose weight, fight against cancer, lower blood pressure, and slow down the aging process.
Tell your friends about these facts about Chinese tea, they will think you are a tea expert!
