Tea is believed to be discovered over 4,000 years ago in China. A national drink enjoyed by people from all walks of life, tea remains an essential part of the Chinese culture!

The importance of tea to Chinese couldn’t be more palpable.

“Chu Cha Dan Fan” is a popular phrase used by Chinese to describe a simple life, which can be translated as “coarse tea, tasteless meal.” From this we know tea has already become a symbol of life for Chinese.

Another phrase the Chinese refer to is ‘Seven necessities of daily life’. The seven necessities are firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea. For some Chinese, tea is just as important as the food they eat.

Today in China, a man of character is one who has the quality of Chinese tea: pure, balanced, and able to put people at ease.

Ancient Chinese scholars stated that friendship between two gentlemen should be as pure as a good cup of Chinese tea. Being with such a gentleman you don’t have to worry about being manipulated.

The Chinese values mind peace, and many find it in tea. As a well-known Tang dynasty poet wrote:”I woke up to a good cup of Chinese tea, and it gives me peace inside and out; with it I won’t be annoyed by anything, even it’s the whole world turning its back on me.”.The poet, as you can see had found his inner peace in tea.

Indeed, tea provided endless inspiration to many poets from ancient China. Qianlong-the Qing dynasty emperor and a big time tea lover-wrote almost 300 poems all his life. When the emperor decided to lay down his duty at the age of 85, his ministers begged him:”Please stay. The country can’t live a day without your majesty”. “But”, replied the emperor, “your majesty can’t live a day without tea”.”

Tea contributed to the development of Chinese literature in more ways than one.

Today Chinese literature classic of ‘A Dream in the Red Mansion’ is known the world over. However, many say that without the elaboration on the ostentatious tea parties of the Chinese upper class, the book shouldn’t have been so successful.

From the description in the book about how the tea parties were held, we know a lot about how ancient Chinese prepared tea and what varieties people most appreciated.

If you visit the Palace Museum in Taipei, you’re sure to be amazed by a beautiful, 800-year-old scroll painting that depicts a grand Chinese tea party hosted by a Song dynasty emperor. An enthusiastic fan of tea, the emperor stated:”You must run the country the same way you make good Chinese tea”.For the emperor, running his country was no different than making a good cup of Chinese tea: everything in the process shall be put be full use.

Today, as you will find, a great way to learn Chinese culture is drinking the Chinese tea.

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