Chinese Tea House: The Customary Place Of Leisure
It’s well-known that tea is second only to water. China controls almost all aspects of traditional tea production and cultivation. Chinese prefer green teas as well as some oolongs. The majority of black teas produced in China are for export. Tea drinking has been a long-standing Chinese social activity. According to legend, tea drinking started in China’s Tang Dynasty. It was when Buddhist monks began to drink the brew following meditation.
It soon became a common practice, and the skilled scholars who studied the subject sought to perfect their art of tea drinking. With the increase in tea production, Chinese teahouses flourished, particularly in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). After the Song Dynasty ended, the Qing Dynasty (1644-1679) was the peak period for Chinese tea houses. Both the function and style of Chinese teahouses had changed by that time. Tea houses began to be decorated with calligraphy, bonsai, and paintings. They sold tea only. Other tea shops offered both traditional brews and Chinese teahouses. These places also served local-flavored snacks.
The style of a Chinese Teahouse
The three main styles of Chinese tea houses today are the modern, traditional and fusion. Traditional tea houses are designed to preserve the nation’s culture, while also providing an urban space for leisure and commerce. The Taiwanese-styled restaurant is the modern example of this type of eatery. The main draw of these modern establishments is the sweetened low-grade green and red teas. These are often accompanied by small sticky taro balls. The fusion type is, as its name suggests, a mixture of both the green and red teas. According to some sources, most Chinese tea houses, particularly the traditional, are focused on creating a sense of pleasure. Although tea houses can be more costly than Chinese coffee shops, they offer a variety of teas and snacks such as melon seeds, biscuits preserved plums, preserve plums, and candies.
Tea house visitors usually enjoy a cup of fine Chinese tea by sitting on cushions at low tables. Many teas are brewed in tiny teapots that measure Satsuma size, then placed into small cups. The teapot might be infused three to four more times, according to reports. Tea is usually brewed in a Chinese teahouse where the purpose of the drink is to enjoy the aroma, taste, and flavor of the tea. Tea ceremony is an occasion that the Chinese celebrate without wearing formal attire. They serve small snacks along with their tea.
Chinese Tea House Today
Nowadays, most teahouses in China can be found scattered around the city. The tea houses are often located along the river’s bridge piers to serve as a resting spot for tourists and locals. Even though they aren’t large, tea houses can be quite compact. They look a lot like pergolas, as many claim. Tea houses offer a variety of teas, including black and green teas. They also have local desserts and delicacies. Some people arrive early in the morning, order tea, and then chat while they wait until it is dark. If the cup isn’t opened, you can have a refill of your tea for no charge.
