pre-Qin period 先秦时期

The pre-Qin period refers to the long period before Emperor Qinshihuang's unification of ancient China.

About 1 700 000 years ago, the ancestors of the Chinese people lived in present-day Yuanmou County, Yunnan Province. This period is now generally considered the beginning of primitive society in China. About 2070 BC, the Xia Dynasty came into being. This was China’s first dynasty and it lasted for more than 400 years.

Succeeding the Xia was the Shang Dynasty (also called the Yin Dynasty for changing its capital several times and finally in Yin, today's Anyang city, Henan Province). The Shang Dynasty was a great power in the world which lasted over 500 years. This dynasty bestowed upon its posterity a great heritage of artifacts such as extremely precious inscriptions on bones, tortoise shells and bronze wares.

The third kingdom was the Western Zhou Dynasty, with Hao as its capital (today's Xi'an city, Shaanxi Province). Later as its capital fell into the hands of the minority invaders, the Western Zhou had to move its capital eastward to today’s Luoyang city, Henan Province hence called the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. From the Western Zhou to the Eastern Zhou Dynasties, they altogether existed about 800 years. The Eastern Zhou was later divided by historians into distinct periods: the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) and the Warring States Period (475 - 221 bigger states. By way of reforms, these seven states developed into the feudal society, which paved the way for the later unification of China under the Qin Dynasty.

When the ancient Egyptian, Babylonian and Indian civilizations were progressing, the ancient Chinese civilization in the Xia, Shang and Western Zhou dynasties was already in full bloom. When the Greek and Roman city-states were in their heyday, the thought and culture of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods were flourishing in ancient China. With a broad view of the ancient world civilization, one way finds that the two stars of civilization - one in the East, the other in the West - were shining at the same time. This gradually developed into two centers of world civilization.

Chinese Marriage Custom from ancient to today

Chinese marriage custom is changing over thousands of years. Nevertheless, the Chinese people still inherits some traditions until today. As we know, China is a vast country and with 56 ethnicities. Indeed, the various ethnicities include different marriage customs. Also, more whatever the nationality is, the wedding ceremony is usually very complicated. 

6 steps fo a traditional Chinese marriage

The traditional Chinese marriage usually has 6 necessary parts. Meanwhile, successively are matchmaking, engagement, betrothal presents, meeting the bride, three bows and drinking wedlock wine.

1, Matchmaking. The matchmaker, on behalf of the man, asked the girl’s birth date; and then went to the fortune-teller to see if they are fit or not. For example, if one is born in the year of the Rooster year, she is not a right match with someone born in the age of the Monkey. Such as the same is true for a Sheep and a Mouse. (Chinese zodiac) 
2, Engagement. It is a pre-marriage ceremony, both man and woman should exchange the engagement certificate. Also, on condition that both birthdays matched with each birth year, month and day, by then conforming to the traditional Chinese era.
3, Betrothal presents. The man should provide some betrothal gifts to the girl’s family. Usually, there are some clothes, gold and wealth. An exchange of courtesies, the girl’s family may give back the man some living goods and the housemaid if it is a wealthy family.
4, Meeting the bride. The man would go to the girl’s home to greet her to man’s big family. Additionally, the girl is definitely veiling and waiting in the sedan chair for their wedding.
5, Three bows. It is just like the official wedding ceremony in ancient China. Also, we call it Bow to Heaven and Earth, is the most important rite in the tradition. The new couple needs to stand side by side, making three bows. Therefore, the first bend to heaven and earth, secondly to ancestors and both parents; finally to each other.
6, Drinking wedlock wine. Finally, having wedlock wine is the final but one of the enjoyable steps involved in the holy matrimony. Thus, the newer couple will soon be willing to rest after drinking wedlock wine.

Today’s Chinese marriage

At present, a widespread Chinese marriage goes such as this. After the engagement, and then to the selection of the date for their wedding. Seems that the steps are simple, while the celebration is still complicated. Generally, they need spend 3 days ceremony for their wedding. This should be second only to the Spring Festival

Further, the wedding time will be on holidays, so friends and relatives will have time to attend the wedding. Some particularly people living in the countryside; they would most still likely ask a fortune-teller to choose a lucky particular lucky date for the wending. Thus their marriage would have “Double Cheer.”

Now for the particular Chinese wedding, some of the new couples still would like to have a traditional Chinese marriage. That’s just for fun and lovely, the bride wears veils and sits in the sedan chair for their wedding. The future husband usually meets the precious bride riding a horse, just same with ancients. At the arrival of the beloved bride, those friends and relatives will set off firecrackers, thrown the colorful lace all over the bride and bridegroom to deliver them good luck. Sometimes, also play the loud traditional music to generate a lively environment. This is the marriage of ancient and modern.

Generally, a prestigious from either the bride’s or the bridegroom’s relatives who preside over the Chinese marriage ceremony. Following a lot of courtesies and procedures, and also the new couple is necessary to stand side by side, doing three bows, just like the ancients.

Chinese weddings usually come with a luxurious celebration, just mentioned in the beginning. Thereinto, these people will probably develop some complex processes to wish the new couple endless love and the early on the birth of a healthy child. Their family and friends are usually giving many money and wealth to the new couple, even a new apartment. The whole time generally needs 3 days almost spend the time to eating. Is this one of the reasons why Chinese food is taste?

Marriage customs can vary from country to country. However, most marriages share the same processes.  Now, the Chinese government stipulates that the legal marriage age is 20 for a girl and 22 for a boy. Otherwise, in ancient China, people usually married at the age of 14, and they became grandparents when they were 36 years old.

Longjing Tea - West Lake Dragon Well Tea

Longjing tea, generally called West Lake Dragon Well tea, is named after its creation area Longjing Village of West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.

West Lake Dragon Well tea has topped the summary of the ten most acclaimed teas in China and is portrayed by its green shading, delicate notice, smooth taste and superb shape.

The five basic creation regions are Lion Peak (Shi Feng) Mountain, Longjing Village, Five Cloud (Wuyun) Mountain, Tiger Running (Hupao) Temple and Meijiawu.

The predominant geological condition and incredible quality water resources around West Lake have contributed much to the advancement of Longjing tea, insisting the figure of speech that "Longjing tea is the best among most of the teas on the planet, and the best Longjing tea is made on Lion Peak Mountain".

By virtue of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Shi Feng Longjing tea has earned a high reputation.

Legends of Longjing Tea — Admiration from the Imperial Family 

Its history can be backpedaled to the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and it has been acclaimed in China since the Song Dynasty (960-1279), winning in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing organizations.

The legend went that Emperor Qianlong went to Lion Peak Mountain in the midst of his Hangzhou voyages, and he saw a couple of ladies picking the tea at the foot of the mountain. He was so propelled by their advancements that he had a go himself.

While picking the tea, he got the news of his mother's infection, so he imprudently put the leaves in his right sleeve and left Hangzhou for Beijing. He passed by his mother quickly upon his entrance in Beijing, and Empress Dowager saw the aroma of the leaves from his sleeves and needed a taste.

Sovereign Qianlong asked for some tea to be aged for her, and she got herself completely empowered in the wake of drinking some tea, and she even praised it as an answer for all ills. Starting there on, Shi Feng Longjing tea was recorded as the tribute tea especially for Empress Dowager.

Picking Timeliness and Manufacturing Techniques 

Both the picking and making methods of Longjing tea are nitty gritty remembering the ultimate objective to guarantee it holds its high gauge and one of a kind flavor, according to which Longjing tea is gathered into six assessments (from superior to the fifth grade).

Much noteworthiness is worried on the propitiousness of the leaves being picked, and the tea leaves that are picked before the Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day, April 4/5) or after the 'grain rain' period (6th sun based term, April 20-May 6)) are believed to be the best grade, while the leaves picked between Qingming Festival and the 'grain rain' period are considered moderately pointless.

The route toward making Longjing tea is amazingly strict; It generally uses squeeze prospects the tea, and it incorporates ten frameworks in light of different temperatures and soddenness, including shaking, understanding, catching, crushing, beating, rubbing, and hurling.

A helpful tea-generation pro knows accurately how and when to use a particular strategy as showed by the changes in soddenness and temperature.

Prosperity Effects 

Longjing tea is a delightful drink with potential therapeutic favorable circumstances inferable from its rich malignancy aversion operator content. In any case, it's similarly rich in caffeine, which could inimically impact some tea buyers in adequately far reaching wholes, so don't drink too much.

The best strategy to Make a Perfect Cup of Longjing Tea 

Course of action: Get some Longjing tea, a glass compartment, and a container of mineral spring water arranged, and a short time later put three grams (one teaspoon) of tea into the holder.

Clean the tea leaves: Pour to some degree (around 50ml) warmed spring water (80°C to 90°C) into the compartment. Gently spin the compartment, and a short time later spill out the water, keeping the tea leaves in the glass. This should tidy up any clean et cetera the tea from the amassing methodology.

Blend the tea: pour 150ml (the leaves: water extent should be around 1:50) of 85°C water into the glass, and sit tight for seven minutes until the point that the moment that the tea leaves have extended owing to the maintenance of the water.

Drink the Tea: Drink the tea in the going with three minutes, and you can value a some Longjing tea.

Chinese Calligraphy

Chinese Calligraphy is the specialty of composing the indications of a dialect. Chinese calligraphy is portrayed by the innovation and abundance of the Chinese written work. Chinese calligraphy permits a field of masterful articulation extensively.

The most well known Chinese calligraphy is the one composed with a brush. Schoolchildren learn Chinese calligraphy through the sino-grammes with a ballpoint pen or a pen: this calligraphy is called pen calligraphy (not extremely amazing name it is valid!) Those who calligraphy with brush are by and large, not great at calligraphy pen and the other way around, it is a matter of adaptability of the wrist.

In old circumstances, Chinese characters were engraved on the bones of bulls or turtle shells, at that point on bronze. At that point, they made books with bamboo braces associated. It positively utilizes a quill of bamboo and dark ash for ink. The tuft of bamboo is as yet utilized once in a while.

Brush calligraphy is done on rice paper or on silk (more delicate). The equipment of a calligrapher is called Four fortunes of Study: the brush, the paper, the ink and the ink stone. The ink is as sticks that are rubbed on the ink stone with water to acquire an ink liquid. Presently, the ink is in a container, significantly more helpful and great quality. Be that as it may, this technique does not have any proper densities.

Great calligraphy has generally mirrored the level of a proficient culture. A decent specialist ought to be a decent calligrapher (groups!) and examination to end up plainly magnificent authority put more accentuation on the calligraphy of the hopeful than on the substance of the duplicate!

The historical backdrop of Chinese composition (over 3000 years!) has created numerous styles of calligraphy. Likewise, Chinese characters have different spellings: around 3 by characters. The characters satisfaction has a hundred distinct spellings. The calligrapher has as of now an extensive variety of potential outcomes. It can likewise change over the full and free to express their emotions. It might distinctively calligraphy characters of a content to strengthen or change their significance. The message that Chinese calligraphy can get is exceptionally expansive.

To learn Chinese calligraphy, it is smarter to know the rudiments of Chinese written work, else it will learn at work. We start by concentrate the basic lines, at that point attract characters the standard style. At that point, you take in the cursive style lastly the style of the grass, exceptionally cursive. The Chinese say that the general style resembles stand, the cursive style resembles strolling and style of the grass resembles running.

How to Grind Ink when you write Chinese calligraphy

To do traditional Chinese calligraphy,  the first step is to grind the ink.

1. Gather your supplies. A good ink stone will have a hard, polished surface. You don’t want it too rough because a rough surface can damage the brush.
2. Fill the water pot, or well, with water.
3. Place a little water on the grinding stone.
4. Select the color of ink stick you will use.
5. Grasp the ink stick between your thumb and your index and middle fingers. Place the end of the ink stick into the water and pull some water up onto the plane of the grinding stone.
6. Rub the stick on the stone in a circular motion until you have the color of ink you need. If the ink is too thick, it will not flow easily off the brush. If the ink is too thin, the color will be light. Practice getting the right consistency.
7. Grind only the ink that you need for that day, and do not permit ink to dry in your inkstone. Clean the ink stone with water and a soft sponge or cloth. Never use anything that could damage the stone. Cover the stone to prevent the ink from drying if you will take a break.

How to Use a Chinese Calligraphy Brush

1. Soak it in a cup of water.
2. Take the brush out when it is soft.
3. Hold the brush in your right or left hand. Holding the brush higher creates weaker, softer strokes while holding closer to the bristles create solid, more defined strokes.
4. Use your ring finger, middle finger, and thumb to hold the brush.
5. Dip the ink stick in water and grind against the ink stone until the ink has an oily consistency. See how to grind ink.
6. Bottled ink: Pour ink into the ink stone.
7. Begin writing Chinese characters, tilting the brush using the fingers, not the hands. Tilting the brush can add certain effects to the character that may or may not be desirable.

Warnings

1. Do not put the brush in your mouth.
2. Do not use ink stone to hurt anyone.
3. Wash your brush every time you use it.
4. Do not press too hard or paper will tear.

7 Types of Tea in China

Tea is the national drink in China. In addition to its prominence in Chinese culture, tea also claims many health benefits, making it a popular drink worldwide. There are several types of Chinese tea, which vary in degree of fermentation and processing.

The main classes of Chinese tea discussed below are green tea, yellow tea, white tea, oolong tea, black tea, dark tea or fermented tea and Pu'er tea.

1. Green Tea

Chinese green tea is the oldest and most popular type of tea; it has been enjoyed in China for several thousand years. Green tea is made from the new shoots of the tea plant, and the tea leaves are dried and processed according to the type of tea desired.

The techniques for processing green tea are sub-divided into three categories: water removing, rolling, and drying. Traditional green tea has a pale color and a sharp, astringent flavor. It is produced primarily in the provinces of Jiangxi, Anhui, and Zhejiang. The most famous green tea is West Lake Dragon Well Tea , which is produced in Hangzhou.

2. Yellow Tea

Yellow tea is produced by allowing damp tea leaves to dry naturally. It has a distinctive aroma, similar to red tea, but its flavor is closer to green and white teas. Yellow tea is also used to describe the high-quality tea that was served to the emperors, as yellow wsa the traditional imperial color.

Junshan Yinzhen is produced in China's Hunan Province and is the country's most popular yellow tea.

3. White Tea

White tea is unfermented, uncured green tea that has been quickly dried. It is indigenous to Fujan Province, and is lighter in color than other types of tea with a subtle, delicate flavor.

White tea got its name from the tradition of poor Chinese people offering plain boiled water to guests, if they had no tea, and calling it "white tea".

Popular brands of white tea are White Peony and Silver Needle.

4. Oolong Tea

Oolong tea, also known as blue tea, is unfermented tea with unique characteristics. Made from a blend of green and red teas, oolong tea boasts the best flavors and aromatic qualities of both. Sometimes called "green leaves with a red edge", oolong tea is thought to aid in fat decomposition and is widely regarded as a weight loss aid and a beauty enhancer.

Wenshan Baozhong Tea and Dongding Oolong Tea are two exemplary brands of this popular tea.

5. Black Tea

Black tea is the second largest category of Chinese tea. It is made from the new shoots of tea leaves, which are wilted, rolled, fermented, and dried. The resulting infusion yields a lovely red color and a subtle aromatic fragrance. Keemun is the most popular brand of black tea.

6. Dark Tea

Dark tea is a kind of post-fermented tea, which undergoes an actual fermentation process aided by bacteria. The whole process comprises six steps: water removing, first-time rolling, heaping, second rolling, baking, and drying.

It is generally acknowledged that dark tea originated in the 16th century in Anhua City, Hunan Province.

The most common dark tea brands are Anhua Dark Tea, Hubei Laobian Tea, Sichuan Tibetan tea, and Guangxi Liubao Tea. Dark tea is very popular in Hong Kong, Macao, Southeast Asia and Japan.

7. Pu'er Tea

Pu'er tea is actually a dark tea, but deserves a category on its own because of its distinguishing features.

Pu'er tea, originating from Yunnan Province, has an ancient history over of 2,000 years. According to Yunnan government's definition, Puer tea must be tea that is made from a large-leaf variety of a plant growing in a defined area, which is then processed into compressed tea or brick tea with a specified technology.

Pu'er tea was listed as a geographical indication product' by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine on August 5, 2008. It stipulates that only tea produced in Yunnan's 639 towns in 11 prefectures and cities, including Pu'er and Dali, can be called Pu'er tea.

There are two distinct types of Pu'er tea: sheng Pu'er (the raw or green Pu'er) and shu Pu'er (the ripened or black Pu'er).

History of Chinese Tea

The history of Chinese tea is a story of passion and refinement. The modern methods of processing, brewing and drinking Chinese tea took centuries to develop. What started as a royal drink for emperors has become one of the most beloved Chinese cultural traditions. 

The Origin of Tea

The origin of tea in China is credited to the legendary Emperor Shennong, who is said to have lived in the most ancient era of Chinese history. Shennong was famous for his wise edicts, and one such edict required that people boil their water before they drink it. This led to the discovery of tea.

The Legend of the First Cup of Tea

One summer day, while visiting a distant part of his realm, Shennong and the court stopped to rest. In accordance with his ruling, the servants began to boil water for the court to drink. Dried leaves from a nearby bush fell into the boiling water, and a brown substance was infused into the water. As a scientist, the Emperor was interested in the new liquid, drank some, and found it quite refreshing. And so, according to Chinese legend, tea was created in 2737 BC.

Whether this story is true or not, China has a long and fascinating history with tea. Tea as a plant originates in the mountain wilderness of Southwestern China, in Yunnan and Sichuan provinces. Before they were ever cultivated as a cash crop, tea trees grew large and wild in this southern frontier. These trees were the beginnings of the first Chinese tea. 

Zhou Dynasty

Tea started out as a very different beverage than it exists now. The Erya, an ancient Chinese dictionary, mentions tea drinking in the Zhou dynasty as far back as 1046 BC. The earliest tea was a simple whole leaf infusion dropped directly into a cup of water, much like the story of Emperor Shennong. More processed tea that extracted the true tea flavor from the leaf would come much later. 

Han Dynasty

In the Han Dynasty, between 206 BC and 220 AD, the Chinese began to use tea as a medicinal drink to help keep a person awake longer. At this point, tea was highly expensive and usually only available for the Emperor and other high ranking nobles. Most tea from this time was still grown in Sichuan and Yunnan. Tea was brought up out of these mountainous regions to the capital for the emperor's consumption. 

Tang Dynasty 

Tea culture began to change dramatically in the Tang dynasty, from 618 to 907 AD. Before this dynasty, tea was an imperial drink only for the rich, but in the Tang period tea became widely available to the Chinese people and became a central aspect of Chinese day-to-day life. In this period, it also changed from being a purely medicinal beverage to a social drink consumed among family and friends. Tea soon became one of the seven essentials of Chinese life.

Evolution of Tea Processing

The Tang dynasty also saw an evolution in tea processing. Before this time, raw tea leaves were steamed and then pressed into bricks known as tea cakes. These cakes were ground down in a stone mortar, and hot water was poured over the powdered tea, which would diffuse in the water, creating tea.

During the Tang dynasty, this process changed, creating the loose leaf tea we know today. In this process, instead of being steamed the tea leaves are roasted, which dries out the leaves. This process preserves more of the essential tea flavor from the leaf. This is still the way most Chinese loose leaf tea is made today. 

The History of the Tea Trade

The West took a liking to the teas of China through international trade. Some Westerners often think of England when they think of tea, even though tea doesn't grow there. Thanks to expansive colonization, England gained access to many foreign delicacies, including Chinese tea. It has now become synonymous with both countries.

Tea has traditionally been traded along the famous 2,000 year-old Silk Road, along with other highly prized commodities. The Tea Horse Road is another trade route that played an important part in expanding the influence of this popular beverage between the 6th and 20th century. Thanks to the extensive maritime exploration of China and other countries, particularly during the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279), tea was also a popular cargo on the high seas of the Maritime Silk Road. 

History of Different Teas around China

Just like European wines, different areas of China are known for producing different types of tea, including green, white and oolong teas. Read more about Tea Classification with our complete guide. 

Pu'er Tea

This variety of tea was first shaped into small cakes or bricks of dried leaves. Brick teas are still made today, continuing an ancient tea tradition that is over 2,000 years old.

Green Teas

Considered the oldest variety of tea, green tea has been enjoyed for thousands of years. Zhejiang province produces some of the most famous green teas. Green Tea has been used as an energy stimulant throughout history. 

Oolong Tea

Oolong is distinct from green tea because it has undergone semi-oxidization, a process that darkens both the tea color and flavor. There are many theories of how oolong tea was discovered. Each story consists of someone becoming distracted or traveling a long distance giving the tea time to become more oxidized. This led to its dark color and rich taste. Oolong tea is thought to help with weight loss and improving the skin. 

White Tea

White tea is another famous tea and is nearly entirely produced in China. Noted for its delicate flavor, white tea is the least processed type of tea and is traditionally just plucked, wilted, and dried. Historians think white tea is the first variety of tea ever made because it is the easiest to create. Some also believe white tea is the healthiest option since it is the least processed form of the tea leaf.

Oil Tea

Oil tea is a favorite variety from Guilin and other parts of southern China. Historically, it is the product of several southern ethnicities. They have made this type of tea for centuries and keep the tradition alive today. 

Oil tea is high in caffeine and offers a strong taste due to the amount of tea leaves, oil, and other ingredients boiled in its broth. People either love or hate it. 

10 Interesting Things about Chinese Tea

Tea was first discovered by the Chinese and used as medicine. Then it evolved into a type of beverage, and became an integral part of Chinese culture. 

Here are 10 interesting facts about Chinese tea to help you learn more about it.

1. Tea Has a 3,000-Year History in China

China is the homeland of tea. Wild tea trees from over 3,000 years ago, where tea was once farmed, and extant cultivated tea areas dating back to 800 years ago, can still be found in Southwest China.

The Tea Horse Road linked Southwest China with Tibet's tea drinkers from the 6th century.

Simple tea-processing emerged between 221 BC and 8 AD. Tea leaves were pressed into balls, dried, and stored. People later crushed the balls and mixed them with herbs, such as green onion and ginger, before boiling them. From then onwards, tea became a beverage.

Tea was enjoyed by Han Dynasty emperors pre 220 AD.

According to the legend, some Chinese once people believed tea was first discovered by Shennong (the Divine Farmer c.2500 BC) who was one of the ancestors of Chinese people.

2. Tea is the Second Most Consumed Beverage in China

Nowadays, tea is consumed around the world more than any other beverage except for water. You can find lots of teahouses in China easily, especially in the top tea culture cities.

In addition, the diversity of styles and flavors of Chinese teas is unparalleled in other countries (see Chinese tea classification).

3. Tea Was First Used as Medicine

Before the 8th century BC, tea in China was primarily used as a medicine. Ancient Chinese people often boiled fresh tea leaves and drank the infusion. They believed that tea reduced "heat" (see Chinese medicinal cuisine) and improved eyesight.

To this day that white tea over 3 years still considered as a ideal antipyretics to young children with measles in North China.

4. Tea is China's Oldest Exported Product

China was the first and still is the largest exporter of tea. Near the end of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), British merchants set up trading posts in Xiamen, Fujian Province and first started to trade in Chinese tea.

In Mandarin Chinese, "tea" is "cha". The only region where it wasn't called it cha was Fujian Province. What the people of Xiamen called tay, the British spelled as "tea".

The term "tea" started spreading later than "cha" but, with the English language, traveled much further. Nowadays, the term "cha" is still used in Japan.

5. Tea Grown in Different Areas Has Different Flavors

Tea is the national drink in China, but the production and consumption of tea is distinctive in different regions.

On the one hand, different regions are famous for growing different types of tea. For example, Hangzhou has the best green tea — Longjing tea.

On the other hand, people in different regions tend to prefer drinking different teas. It's clear that people in Beijing like flower-scented tea, especially jasmine tea; people in Shanghai and surrounding areas like green tea.

6. The Longer Some Teas Are Stored the More Expensive They Are

There's a saying among Chinese tea-lovers: a brick of good Pu'er tea is more valuable than a gram of gold. Some regard tea as an investment commodity rather than just something to put in a cup to drink.

Over the past decade, some high-end teas, especially those that improve with age have become as collectible in China as the rarest vintage wines.

For example, Pu'er and white tea are highly praised for their suitability for long-term storage — the longer they are stored, the more valuable they become.

But not all tea is suitable for collecting, since some types of tea including green tea, deteriorate with age.

7. Serving Tea to Elders or Guests Is a Sign of Respect

In traditional Chinese culture, serving tea to a guest is a sign of respect. A younger person can show respect and gratitude to an older person by offering a cup of tea. This is especially common during big celebrations, such as birthdays or the Spring Festival.

Another special occasion when tea is served is a traditional Chinese wedding. In a traditional Chinese marriage ceremony, both the bride and groom kneel before their parents and serve them tea. This is a way of expressing gratitude to their parents for raising them.

8. Chinese People Believe Tea is Good for Weight Loss

Tea is said to provide a lot of health benefits and is believed to be a healthy beverage by Chinese people. People believe that drinking tea every day could decrease the risk of many diseases.

The most common belief is that it contributes to slimming, although there is no conclusive evidence that green tea aids weight loss, or has any beneficial health effects.

9. Tea Is a Great Social Media

Tea is a great social media in China. A teahouse is the by-product of Chinese tea culture. Chinese people generally consider meeting in a teahouse to be a good opportunity to socialize or discuss business matters.

Conventionally, Chinese scholars prefer to have free and deep communication with their friends, and businessmen usually conduct negotiations with their business partners, when enjoying some tea.

10. Chinese People Think a Tea Set Is Very Important for a Good Cup of Tea

Chinese people are usually really finicky about the teaware they use for brewing or drinking tea. They believe that different tea sets affect the tea's flavor.

The most popular teapot in China is the Yixing (a city in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangsu) clay teapot. The amazing quality of the Yixing teapot is that each time tea is brewed inside it, it absorbs the tea's flavor. After being used many times, the pot itself can flavor the boiled water without adding any fresh tea leaves.