Changes

[[File:Lei cha.jpg|thumb|Lei cha]]

File:Lei cha.jpg|thumb|Lei cha

'''Lei cha''' ({{zh|c=擂茶|p=léi chá}}; literally "'''pounded tea'''") <!--Need Hakka pronunciation-->  or '''ground tea''' is a traditional [[Hakka cuisine|Hakka]] [[tea|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.  

'''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 [[herb]]s that are ground or pounded together with various roasted [[Nut (fruit)|nut]]s, [[seed]]s, [[grain]]s, and flavorings.  

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==

==Production==

Pounded tea is a varying mix of:

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

*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|matcha]] (finely milled green tea) is used

*roasted [[Nut (fruit)|nut]]s and [[seed]]s – the most commonly used are [[peanut]]s, [[mung bean]]s, and [[sesame]]; other examples include [[soybean]]s, [[pinenut]]s, [[Pumpkin]] seeds, [[sunflower seed]]s, [[Lentil]]s, [[lotus seed]]s

*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 [[grain]]s – examples: cooked or puffed [[rice]], [[wheat]]

*roasted grains – examples: cooked or puffed rice, wheat

*[[herb]]s and flavorings – examples: [[ginger]], salt

*herbs and flavorings – examples: ginger, salt

*[[Chinese herbal medicine]] may be included for health purposes

*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 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.

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==

==Consumption==

The tea is drunk for [[breakfast]] or on cold winters as a tasty and healthy restorative.  

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.

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.

==External links==

==External links==

*[http://hakkacenter.nctu.edu.tw/item_4/item_4-4.htm History and cultural significance of Lei cha]

*[http://hakkacenter.nctu.edu.tw/item_4/item_4-4.htm History and cultural significance of Lei cha]

*[http://www.hakka-luicha.com Lei Cha and its accompanying dishes]

*[http://www.hakka-luicha.com Lei Cha and its accompanying dishes]

 

[[de:Lei Cha]]

[[Category:Hakka]]

 

 

 

[[zh:擂茶]]