Chinese Tea: A Ceremony of True Friendship and Love
In China, Chinese tea ceremonies are very important since time immemorial. Its history mirrored its impact in the growth and value of Chinese tea in their culture. The style of drinking and manner of service plays a major role in each ceremony. For centuries, the ritual of preparation and service has held an important place in the hearts of elites, court officers, philosophers, and poets in China.
Before, Chinese tea was well known and grown for its medicinal use. The Chinese Monks were the ones who taught the values of respect for nature, humility, peace, and calm. These values have been significantly integrated in the Chinese tea ceremonies. As a matter of fact, he, jing, yi, zhen which means, peace, quiet, enjoyment and truth, describe the spirit of Chinese tea ceremony. Because Monks thought that they could teach more concepts in philosophy through the tea ceremony.
The Chinese tea is the center of tea ceremonies in China, and not the other way around. It is all about how the tea tastes, smells, and how a particular tea tasted differently than in previous ceremonies. Chinese tea ceremony is a celebration of tea, being a major aspect in the Chinese culture. The ceremony is not very strict in the manner of service, because it is not about who serves the Chinese tea, rather it is simply all about tea. Although each step in the service is respected as it is meant to be a journey of sensory exploration and appreciation.
For a tea ceremony to be successful, six important things should be considered. The host or the server should be in a happy, peaceful and calm mood. The best kind of tea should be selected not only based on smell, taste and shape, but the tea should also have a beautiful name and background story. The water should also be of the purest and highest quality so that the best tea taste and aroma is achieved. In addition, the teawares should be functional and attract the guests as the tea is served. The tea ceremony should be held in a peaceful, clean and calm ambiance. Finally, the tea should be served gracefully.
Most Chinese teas used in the tea ceremonies are grown in the highlands of Taiwan. The tea cultivated there are particularly refined, such as the oolong and red teas. Other types of teas would include black tea, green tea and yellow or white tea.
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