Chinese Han people pay attention to the word “taste” when drinking tea. The etiquette of brewing and serving tea is essential when guests arrive. When guests come to visit, they can seek advice and choose the best tea set that suits their taste and hospitality. When offering tea to guests, it is also necessary to mix and match the tea appropriately. When accompanying guests to drink tea, the host should pay attention to the residual amount of tea in the guest’s cup and pot. Generally, tea is brewed in a tea cup. If half of the tea has been consumed, hot water should be added as needed to maintain a consistent concentration of tea and a suitable water temperature. When drinking tea, you can also use tea, candy, dishes, etc. to adjust the taste and Dim sum.
Tea is a basic commodity for Chinese people, running through their daily lives. A cup of clear tea brings endless intimacy. People drink and share tea in different places such as homes, workplaces, and tea houses, either by brewing or boiling. This not only increases the taste of life, but also cultivates personal character and moral cultivation, and promotes interpersonal harmony. China has a vast territory and numerous ethnic groups, and the consumption and sharing of tea also exhibit significant regional characteristics and diversity, such as Gongfu tea, Gannan Hakka Leicha, Bai Sandao tea, and Yao oil tea customs. In addition, tea is also widely used in ceremonies such as weddings, teacher worship, and sacrifices. Respecting guests with tea, making friends with tea, promoting kinship with tea, and promoting neighborliness with tea are excellent cultural traditions that reflect the values of Chinese humility, harmony, propriety, and respect, which help to enhance cultural identity and social cohesion.
Tea culture is very important in the life of the Han people. King Wu conquered Zhou, and tea has become a tribute. In the later period of primitive communes, tea became a commodity for exchange. During the Warring States period, tea had already reached a certain scale. The collection of the Book of Songs in the pre Qin period contains records of tea. For example, in the Han Dynasty, tea became a specialized tonic for Buddhist meditation. During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, there was a tradition of drinking tea. During the Sui Dynasty, tea was widely consumed by the entire population. In the Tang Dynasty, the tea industry flourished, and tea became a must-have for a family. Tea houses, banquets, and parties emerged, advocating for guests to come and serve tea. In the Song Dynasty, it was popular to have tea fights, tribute tea, and gift tea, among others.
