茶道
The art of drinking and serving tea plays a major cultural role in China. It inspires poetry and songs. Mutual love of tea cements lifelong friendships. For centuries, the ritual of preparing and serving tea has held a special place in the hearts and minds of Chinese aristocracy, court officials, intellectuals and poets.
The Chinese tea ceremony emphasizes more on the tea, rather than the ceremony -- what the tea tastes like, smells like, and how one tea tastes compared to the previous tea, or in successive rounds of drinking. During the ritual, each step is meant to be a sensory exploration and appreciation.
This style of tea-drinking uses small cups to match the small, unglazed clay teapots; each cup is just large enough to hold about two small swallows of tea. These tiny cups are particularly popular in southern coastal China. In Shanghai and Beijing people use larger cups.
Aside from the brewing (pot) and drinking (cup) instruments, traditional tea drinking involves a whole set of utensils.
·Scoop, tongs and small scoop for taking dry tea and handling the hot tea pot and cups.
·Tea tray – a wooden tray with slats on top and an open chamber within in which excess hot water is poured (the chamber can be emptied).
·Teapot – the preferred teapot in China, especially for Oolong teas, are small clay teapots.
·Glass decanter – a small vessel in which the brewed tea is poured.
·Small metal sieve that will fit on the mouth of your decanter preventing loose tea leaves entering the decanter.
·Fragrance cup – thimble-shaped, receives the first brewed tea
·Tea cup – small cup from which you drink.
The following gives you the instructions for preparing Chinese Cha. Cha means tea.
Step 1: Warming the Pot
With hot water, warm your clay teapot and cups by pouring the water over the pot and cups and emptying into the tray.
Step 2: Add Loose Tea
Add tea to the pot. Depending on the variety of tea, the amount will vary. But you won’t need to add too much, perhaps just 5-7 grams.
Step 3: Cleansing the Tea
"Cleansing" implies simply pouring hot water on the leaves to wake up the tea. To cleanse, simply pour hot water over the loose tea into the pot. Then pour the water out and over the cups again to maintain the warmth in the cups.
Step 4: Decanting the Tea
Place the sieve onto the decanter. Pour hot water over your loose tea in the teapot again and let brew. You need to figure out how long you should brew the tea because brewing longer will distort the taste and fragrance of the delicate leaves.
Step 5: Pouring the Tea
Remove the sieve and pour tea into the thimble-shaped fragrance cup. Place the small teacup over the thimble and then turn upside down. This is how the tea should be served to your guests.
Step 6: Enjoying the Fragrance
Simply twist the fragrance cup out of the small teacup to allow the tea to inhabit the teacup. Now, appreciate the fragrance of the tea by sniffing the fragrance cup. Don’t be afraid to put your nose in it!
Step 7: Drinking the Tea
Unlike in Japanese tea ceremonies, there’s no proper way to pick up your cup or drink. Simply sit back and enjoy the fine flavor of your chosen Chinese tea.
Step 8: Continue Drinking
As you finish the tea in your decanter, continue to pour hot water onto your tea leaves in your teapot. Remember not to let steep too long and enjoy 3 to 7 pots of your tea.
You’ll be surprised at how different the tea will taste from the first pot to the last. Like a good wine, the tea will taste different from the first mouthful to the last.
