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Course Work of Lishui University
（The second semester of the academic year
2019-2020）
Title : Chinese Tea Culture
Subject Chinese Civilization and Regional culture (2)
Major : International trade
Full Name : chaouki karoune
Student ID : W191050101
Time of Completion : 4 hours
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INTRODUCTION :
- 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 Chinese people have a saying
that firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce,
vinegar and tea are the seven necessities
of life.
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History of Chinese Tea
The history of Chinese tea is a long and gradual story of
refinement. Generations of growers and producers have
perfected the Chinese way of manufacturing tea, and its
many unique regional variations.
The original idea is credited to the legendary Emperor
Shennong, who is said to have lived 5 000 years ago. His
far-sighted edicts required, among other things, that all
drinking water be boiled as a hygienic precaution. A story
goes that, one summer day, while visiting a distant part of
his realm, he and the court stopped to rest. In accordance
with his ruling, the servants began to boil water for the
court to drink. Dried leaves from a nearby bush fell into the
boiling water, and a brown substance was infused into the
water. As a scientist, the Emperor was interested in the
new liquid, drank some, and found it very refreshing. And
so, according to legend, tea was created in 2737 BC.
Chinese Tea Types
The main varieties of Chinese tea are classified as green
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tea, black tea, Oolong tea, white tea, yellow tea, and dark
tea. Read more on Chinese tea types.
Chinese Tea Culture
Drinking tea：Tea is taken as a beverage to quench thirst.
Tasting tea: The quality of the tea is judged by the color,
fragrance and flavor of the tea, the water quality and even
the tea set. When tasting tea, the taster should be able to
savor the tea thoroughly.
Tea art: While drinking attention is paid to environment,
atmosphere, music, infusing techniques and interpersonal
relationships.
Tea Classifications
Different mountains, water and environments nurture the
unique local tea. In China, there are a wide variety of tea
classifications according to their procedure, quality,
preparation methods and so on. From the method of
processing, the main classes of Chinese tea are Green tea,
Black tea, Oolong tea, White tea, Yellow tea and Dark tea,
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Green Tea
Green tea is the most widely produced tea in China, with 18
tea provinces throughout the country. The main origins are
Anhui, Zhejiang, Hunan, Hubei, and Sichuan provinces.
Chinese green tea has many varieties, and ranks first in the
world with 80% of the global tea market. Over the years,
studies have found that green tea is the healthiest tea
among all tea classifications.
Varieties of Green tea are based on their origin. The top 5
Chinese green teas are Longjing from the West
Lake, Biluochun from Wu County in Jiangsu
Province, Huangshan Maofeng from Mt. Huangshan in
Anhui, and Junshan Silver from the Hills of Junshan, Hunan
Province.
Black Tea
Black tea is the second largest category of Chinese tea. It is
made from the new shoots of tea leaves which are wilted,
rolled, fermented, and dried. The resulting infusion yields a
lovely red color and a subtle aromatic fragrance.
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The most famous black tea in the market includes Chuan
black tea from Sichuan province, Qimenblack tea from
Anhui province, Dian black tea from Yunnan province
and Xinyang black tea from Henan province.
Oolong tea
Oolong tea, also known as blue tea, is unfermented tea
with unique characteristics. It’s made from a blend of green
and red teas, boasts the best flavors and aromatic qualities
of both. Hence sometimes it's called "green leaves with a
red edge". Oolong tea is thought to aid in fat
decomposition and is widely regarded as a weight loss aid
and a beauty enhancer.
The three major oolong growth areas are Fujian and
Guangdong provinces, and Taiwan. Tieguanyin has become
the representative of oolong tea and the most precious
is Dahongpao (Big red robe).
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-How Important the Tea Was in Ancient China?
In Chinese history there is reference to tea as far back
as 5000 years. While the origin of tea drinking is not
really known, by most accounts the beginnings of the
tea culture in China began around 2737 B.C. According
to folklore the second Emperor of China, Shen Nung
who studied plants and herbs was in the court yard
when the leaf of the Camellia Senensis blossom
dropped into his boiling pot of water.
A man before his time in reference to hygiene he
boiled his water before drinking it. As he did not
realize that the leaf had fallen into his pot of boiling
water he drank some it and found it to be refreshing.
Tea was originally consumed for its medicinal
properties. Used as an herbal medicine the Chinese
added the leaves to their food to provide nutrients or
as an antidote for poison. It is also known for its
benefits of aiding digestion, which is why Chinese
prefer to drink tea after their meals and also aids in
nervous disorders. Another benefit of drinking tea is it
helps to expunge nicotine from the bodies of smokers
faster.
