Chinese Word: 茶 Tea (Cha)
“Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time the comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company.” ~Author Unknown
Today in my blog I would like to share with everyone my experience at a Chinese tea house. China has a very rich tea culture, but as time passes there are fewer tea houses and more coffee shops. I believe this is definitely because of western influence. Generally speaking I believe that many Americans do not take the time to appreciate tea. There are so many wonderful and delicious teas. I personally like to drink hot green tea and oolong tea.
When all of the international students and I were at the tea house we had the privilege to drink Gong fu tea (工夫茶) and Pu er tea (普洱茶). A tea master, who was gracefully skilled in the art of the tea ceremony, demonstrated how to pour and taste the various kinds of tea. Below are pictures from my experience at the tea house. Also please follow the links below to see a video of the tea ceremony and the procedures of the tea ceremony step-by-step. I found the tea house to be very relaxing and welcoming. It is the perfect place to go whenever you would like to sit with friends or even if you just feel like sitting and thinking.
The upside down cup in the picture on the right side is actually filled with tea. The cup and tea is place in this position to allow the aroma of the tea to stay in the cup when the cup has been lifted.
Our Beautiful Tea Master
In the picture on the left you can see that she also has an upside down tea cup that she twisting. She was demonstrating that in order to let the tea flow from one cup to the other and save the aroma of the tea in the upside down cup, one must slowly twist the upside down cup and lift. Finally lift the cup to your nose and enjoy the elegant fragrance of the tea.
In the picture on the left you can see that she also has an upside down tea cup that she twisting. She was demonstrating that in order to let the tea flow from one cup to the other and save the aroma of the tea in the upside down cup, one must slowly twist the upside down cup and lift. Finally lift the cup to your nose and enjoy the elegant fragrance of the tea.
When tasting the tea is it customary to take three sips.
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