Chinese Tea Culture

History, tea types & where to experience

🍵 History of Tea

China is the birthplace of tea, with over 5,000 years of tea culture. Legend says Shennong discovered tea in 2737 BC.

Tea is deeply embedded in Chinese philosophy, medicine, and daily life.

🌿 Major Tea Types

Green Tea (绿茶)

Longjing, Biluochun - fresh, light

Black Tea (红茶)

Keemun, Dianhong - bold, malty

Oolong (乌龙茶)

Tieguanyin, Da Hong Pao

Pu-erh (普洱茶)

Aged, earthy, from Yunnan

White Tea (白茶)

Delicate, minimally processed

Jasmine (茉莉花茶)

Scented with jasmine flowers

📍 Where to Experience Tea

  • Hangzhou: Longjing Tea Village, West Lake tea houses
  • Chengdu: Traditional tea houses in People's Park
  • Beijing: Maliandao Tea Street (largest tea market)
  • Fujian: Wuyi Mountains, origin of oolong
  • Yunnan: Pu-erh tea plantations

🫖 Tea Ceremony Etiquette

  • Tap fingers on table to thank the pourer (silent "thank you")
  • Don't fill cup to the brim (70% is polite)
  • Smell tea before drinking
  • Small sips, appreciate the aftertaste