Chinese tea culture: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Gongfu-cha.webp|thumb|Gongfu cha]] | |||
'''Chinese tea culture''' refers to the methods of preparation of [[tea]], the equipment used to make tea and the occasions in which tea is consumed in China. The terms ''chayi'' "Art of Tea 茶藝" and [[Tea Ceremony]] have been used, but the term "Tea Culture 茶文化" includes more than just the ceremony. Also "culture" is easier to translate into English from the Chinese term "art 藝". | '''Chinese tea culture''' refers to the methods of preparation of [[tea]], the equipment used to make tea and the occasions in which tea is consumed in China. The terms ''chayi'' "Art of Tea 茶藝" and [[Tea Ceremony]] have been used, but the term "Tea Culture 茶文化" includes more than just the ceremony. Also "culture" is easier to translate into English from the Chinese term "art 藝". | ||
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==Tea drinking customs== | ==Tea drinking customs== | ||
There are several special circumstances in which tea is prepared and consumed. | There are several special circumstances in which tea is prepared and consumed. | ||
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:In the traditional Chinese marriage ceremony, both the bride and groom kneel in front of their parents and serve them tea. That is the most devout way to express their gratitude. In front of their parents, it is a practice for the married couple to say, "Thank you for bringing us up. Now we are getting married. We owe it all to you." The parents will usually drink a small portion of the tea and then give them a red envelope, which symbolizes good luck. Another variant is that the bride serve tea to the groom's parents, symbolizing that she is to become a part of the latter's family. | :In the traditional Chinese marriage ceremony, both the bride and groom kneel in front of their parents and serve them tea. That is the most devout way to express their gratitude. In front of their parents, it is a practice for the married couple to say, "Thank you for bringing us up. Now we are getting married. We owe it all to you." The parents will usually drink a small portion of the tea and then give them a red envelope, which symbolizes good luck. Another variant is that the bride serve tea to the groom's parents, symbolizing that she is to become a part of the latter's family. | ||
*To connect large families on wedding days | *To connect large families on wedding days | ||
:The tea ceremony during a wedding also serves as a means for both parties to meet with each other. As Chinese families can be rather extended, and there may be one or two hundred people, it is entirely possible during a courtship to not have been introduced to someone. This was particularly true in older generations where the patriarch may have had more than one wife and not all family members were always on good terms. As such, during the tea ceremony, the couple would serve tea to all family members and call them by their official title. Drinking the tea symbolized acceptance into the family, while refusing to drink symbolized opposition to the wedding and was quite unheard of since it would result in a loss of " | :The tea ceremony during a wedding also serves as a means for both parties to meet with each other. As Chinese families can be rather extended, and there may be one or two hundred people, it is entirely possible during a courtship to not have been introduced to someone. This was particularly true in older generations where the patriarch may have had more than one wife and not all family members were always on good terms. As such, during the tea ceremony, the couple would serve tea to all family members and call them by their official title. Drinking the tea symbolized acceptance into the family, while refusing to drink symbolized opposition to the wedding and was quite unheard of since it would result in a loss of "face". Older generations would give a red envelope to the matrimonial couple while the couple would be expected to give red envelopes to the unmarried younger ones. | ||
*Folding the napkin in tea ceremonies is a traditional action and is done to keep away bad Qi energy in China as tea (茶) was regarded as one of the seven daily necessities. The others being firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar（柴,米,油,鹽,醬,醋）. | *Folding the napkin in tea ceremonies is a traditional action and is done to keep away bad Qi energy in China as tea (茶) was regarded as one of the seven daily necessities. The others being firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar（柴,米,油,鹽,醬,醋）. | ||
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===Chaou brewing=== | ===Chaou brewing=== | ||
[[File:Chaouzhou-style-tea-tasting.webp|thumb|Chaouzhou style tea tasting]] | |||
[[Gaiwan|Gàiwǎn]] also known as a cover bowl(蓋碗/盖碗; ''lit.'', "lidded bowl"), also known as 蓋杯 (Pinyin: gàibēi; ''lit.'', "lidded cup") or 焗盅 (Pinyin: júzhōng; ''lit.'', "heat suffocation vessel") depending on the region of the China. "Gaiwan" is a relatively new word. This method of 'brewing' tea was originally developed by the | [[Gaiwan|Gàiwǎn]] also known as a cover bowl (蓋碗/盖碗; ''lit.'', "lidded bowl"), also known as 蓋杯 (Pinyin: gàibēi; ''lit.'', "lidded cup") or 焗盅 (Pinyin: júzhōng; ''lit.'', "heat suffocation vessel") depending on the region of the China. "Gaiwan" is a relatively new word. This method of 'brewing' tea was originally developed by the Chaoshan people and its original name is Chá-ōu, 茶甌 (''simplified'' 茶瓯). There are two words for brewing. One is chōng (沖) and the other is pào (泡). For chaou brewing, the word ''zhōng'' is used rather than ''pào''. | ||
The chaou is a three piece teaware consisting of a lid, cup/bowl, and a saucer. Chaous are generally made of porcelain or are glazed on the inside in order to prevent a buildup of tannins. The chaou may be used on its own or with tasting cups on the side. Chaou brewing is usually employed in [[tea tasting]] situations, such as when buying tea, where neutrality in taste and ease of access to brewing leaves for viewing and sniffing is important. This method of serving is often used in informal situations, though it can also be used on more formal occasions. Chaou brewing can be used for all forms of teas though lightly oxidized teas benefit most from this brewing method. | The chaou is a three piece teaware consisting of a lid, cup/bowl, and a saucer. Chaous are generally made of porcelain or are glazed on the inside in order to prevent a buildup of tannins. The chaou may be used on its own or with tasting cups on the side. Chaou brewing is usually employed in [[tea tasting]] situations, such as when buying tea, where neutrality in taste and ease of access to brewing leaves for viewing and sniffing is important. This method of serving is often used in informal situations, though it can also be used on more formal occasions. Chaou brewing can be used for all forms of teas though lightly oxidized teas benefit most from this brewing method. | ||
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==Tea ceremonies== | ==Tea ceremonies== | ||
[[File:Bulang-style-gongfu-cha.webp|thumb|Bulang style gongfu cha]] | |||
The Chinese tea ceremony, also called the Chinese Way of Tea, is a Chinese cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of tea leaf. The manner in which it is performed, or the art of its performance is shown in the tea ceremony. Taoism has also been an influence in the development of the tea ceremony. The elements of the Chinese tea ceremony is the harmony of nature and enjoying tea in an informal and formal setting. Tea ceremonies are now being revived in China's new fast-paced culture, and continuing in the long tradition of intangible Chinese art. | The Chinese tea ceremony, also called the Chinese Way of Tea, is a Chinese cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of tea leaf. The manner in which it is performed, or the art of its performance is shown in the tea ceremony. Taoism has also been an influence in the development of the tea ceremony. The elements of the Chinese tea ceremony is the harmony of nature and enjoying tea in an informal and formal setting. Tea ceremonies are now being revived in China's new fast-paced culture, and continuing in the long tradition of intangible Chinese art. | ||