Lei cha
File:Lei cha.jpg|thumb|Lei cha
Lei cha (擂茶; literally "pounded tea") or ground tea is a traditional Hakka tea-based beverage or gruel. Lei cha is very traditional among Hakkas in Mainland China, especially Southern China. It is also popular in Taiwan, Malaysia, and any locales with a substantial Hakka diaspora population. The custom began in the Three Kingdoms period.
It is not the same as Chinese tea because there are always other ingredients. Pounded tea consists of a mix of tea leaves and herbs that are ground or pounded together with various roasted nuts, seeds, grains, and flavorings.
Production
Although commercially prepared and prepackaged Lei cha can be bought, the drink is usually made "from scratch" just as it is about to be consumed.
Pounded tea is a varying mix of:
- tea leaves – any type of tea leaf can be used, but the most popular and common are either Green tea or Oolong; for ease of use, sometimes matcha (finely milled green tea) is used
- roasted nuts and seeds – the most commonly used are peanuts, mung beans, and sesame; other examples include soybeans, pinenuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, lentils, lotus seeds
- roasted grains – examples: cooked or puffed rice, wheat
- herbs and flavorings – examples: ginger, salt
- Chinese herbal medicine may be included for health purposes
The ingredients are ground in a food processor, or with a mortar and pestle, or in a large earthenware basin with a wooden stick. The mix should be reduced to a powder that resembles fine cornmeal.
The powder is then placed into a serving bowl and hot water is stirred into it such that a thin soup |soup-like beverage is produced.
Consumption
The tea is drunk for breakfast or on cold winters as a tasty and healthy restorative.
Lei cha may also be taken as a dietary brew. In that case, it is served with rice and other vegetarian side dishes such as greens, tofu, and pickled radish.
Traditionally, Lei cha is a savory brew; however, in contemporary interpretations it is often consumed as a sweet drink.
External links
Category:Tea Category:Chinese tea Category:Tea culture