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'''Tea culture''' is defined by the way [[tea]] is made and consumed, by the way the people interact with tea, and by the aesthetics surrounding tea drinking, it includes aspects of: tea production, tea brewing, tea arts and ceremony, society, history, health, ethics, education, and communication and media issues.

'''Tea culture''' is defined by the way [[tea]] is made and consumed, by the way the people interact with tea, and by the aesthetics surrounding tea drinking, it includes aspects of: tea production, tea brewing, tea arts and ceremony, society, history, health, ethics, education, and communication and media issues.

Tea is commonly consumed at social events, and many cultures have created intricate formal ceremonies for these events. Western examples of these are afternoon tea and the tea party. [[Tea ceremony|Tea ceremonies]], with its roots in the [[Chinese tea culture]], differ among eastern countries, such as the [[Japanese tea ceremony]] or [[Korean tea ceremony]]. However, it may also differ in preparation, such as in Tibet, where tea is commonly brewed with salt and butter. Tea also plays an important role in some countries.

Tea is commonly consumed at social events, and many cultures have created intricate formal ceremonies for these events. Western examples of these are afternoon tea and the tea party. [[Tea ceremony|Tea ceremonies]], with its roots in the [[Chinese tea culture]], differ among eastern countries, such as the [[Japanese tea ceremony]] or Korean tea ceremony. However, it may also differ in preparation, such as in Tibet, where tea is commonly brewed with salt and butter. Tea also plays an important role in some countries.

The British Empire spread its own interpretation of tea to its dominions and colonies including regions that today comprise the states of India, Hong Kong, and Pakistan which had existing tea customs, as well as, regions such as East Africa (modern day Kenya. Tanzania, and Uganda), which did not have existing tea customs.

The British Empire spread its own interpretation of tea to its dominions and colonies including regions that today comprise the states of India, Hong Kong, and Pakistan which had existing tea customs, as well as, regions such as East Africa (modern day Kenya. Tanzania, and Uganda), which did not have existing tea customs.

====Two periods====

====Two periods====

In [[China]], at least as early as the [[Tang Dynasty]], tea was an object of connoisseurship; in the [[Song Dynasty]] formal tea-tasting parties were held, comparable to modern wine tastings. As much as in modern wine tastings, the proper vessel was important and much attention was paid to matching the tea to an aesthetically appealing serving vessel.

In [[China]], at least as early as the Tang Dynasty, tea was an object of connoisseurship; in the Song Dynasty formal tea-tasting parties were held, comparable to modern wine tastings. As much as in modern wine tastings, the proper vessel was important and much attention was paid to matching the tea to an aesthetically appealing serving vessel.

Historically there were two phases of tea drinking in China based on the form of tea that was produced and consumed, namely: ''tea bricks'' versus ''loose leaf tea''.

Historically there were two phases of tea drinking in China based on the form of tea that was produced and consumed, namely: ''tea bricks'' versus ''loose leaf tea''.

[[File:Russiantea1.jpg|thumb|right|A tea brick made for the Russian Imperial Army of Czar Nicholas II]]

[[File:Russiantea1.jpg|thumb|right|A tea brick made for the Russian Imperial Army of Czar Nicholas II]]

Tea served prior to the [[Ming Dynasty]] was typically made from [[tea brick]]s. Upon harvesting, the tea leaves were either partially dried or were thoroughly dried and ground before being pressed into bricks. The pressing of Pu-erh is likely a vestige of this process. Tea bricks were also sometimes used as currency. To improve its resiliency as currency, some tea bricks were mixed with binding agents such as blood. Serving the tea from tea bricks required multiple steps:

Tea served prior to the Ming Dynasty was typically made from [[tea brick]]s. Upon harvesting, the tea leaves were either partially dried or were thoroughly dried and ground before being pressed into bricks. The pressing of Pu-erh is likely a vestige of this process. Tea bricks were also sometimes used as currency. To improve its resiliency as currency, some tea bricks were mixed with binding agents such as blood. Serving the tea from tea bricks required multiple steps:

*''Toasting'': Tea bricks are usually first toasted over a fire to destroy any mould or insects that may have burrowed into the tea bricks. Such infestation sometimes occurred since the bricks were stored openly in warehouses and storerooms. Toasting also likely imparted a pleasant flavour to the resulting tea.

*''Toasting'': Tea bricks are usually first toasted over a fire to destroy any mould or insects that may have burrowed into the tea bricks. Such infestation sometimes occurred since the bricks were stored openly in warehouses and storerooms. Toasting also likely imparted a pleasant flavour to the resulting tea.

*''Grinding'': The tea brick was broken up and ground to a fine powder. This practice survives in Japanese powdered tea (''Matcha'').

*''Grinding'': The tea brick was broken up and ground to a fine powder. This practice survives in Japanese powdered tea (''Matcha'').

===Iran===

===Iran===

Tea found its way to Persia ([[Iran]]) through the Silk Road from India and soon became the national drink. The whole part of northern Iran along the shores of the [[Caspian Sea]] is suitable for the cultivation of tea. Especially in the [[Gilan]] province on the slopes of [[Alborz]], large areas are under tea cultivation and millions of people work in the tea industry for their livelihood. That region covers a large part of Iran's need for tea. Iranians have one of the highest per capita rates of tea consumption in the world and from old times every street has had a ''Châikhâne'' ([[Tea House]]). Châikhânes are still an important social place. Iranians traditionally drink tea by pouring it into a saucer and putting a lump of [[Rock candy|rock sugar]] (''qand'') in the mouth before drinking the tea.

Tea found its way to Persia ([[Iran]]) through the Silk Road from India and soon became the national drink. The whole part of northern Iran along the shores of the [[Caspian Sea]] is suitable for the cultivation of tea. Especially in the Gilan province on the slopes of Alborz, large areas are under tea cultivation and millions of people work in the tea industry for their livelihood. That region covers a large part of Iran's need for tea. Iranians have one of the highest per capita rates of tea consumption in the world and from old times every street has had a ''Châikhâne'' ([[Tea House]]). Châikhânes are still an important social place. Iranians traditionally drink tea by pouring it into a saucer and putting a lump of rock sugar (''qand'') in the mouth before drinking the tea.

===Morocco===

===Morocco===