In China, tea is a drink that is always on hand, ready to be sipped when you think of it. Therefore, the tea points that go with Chinese tea should be those that can be exposed to the air for a long time without losing flavor easily, and they should be easy to take and eat at any time. It is very common in China to have a chat over tea while knocking melon seeds or eating raisins. The refreshing flavor of tea and the sweetness of sugar go especially well together, so candied dried fruit is also a good partner for Chinese tea.
You don’t need to be concerned with red tape to drink Chinese tea, just follow the most basic social etiquette. Whatever you need to pay attention to when dining with others, you should pay attention to when drinking tea. Here are three points that I usually pay more attention to.
First, ask questions related to tea and express your feelings about the cup of tea. In Japan, if someone treats you to a good meal, you would ask a few questions and express your feelings, wouldn’t you? The reasoning is the same. ‘What kind of tea is this?’ ‘It seems like it!’ The tone should be genuine, so that you can show your appreciation to the person who made the tea.
Second, take a few sips of tea first, then use the refreshments. This is not a matter of rules, but rather a consideration of the characteristics of Chinese tea. Japanese tea is on the bitter side, so you have to eat some sweet tea points and drink the tea while the sweetness is still in your mouth. However, Chinese tea is mostly known for its delicate flavor, so it is recommended that you taste the tea first and then enjoy the refreshments, so that you can fully appreciate the charm of tea.
Third, do not put the pointed part to others. This is said for tea brewers, never point the spout of the kettle and teapot at others.
Do the above three points in place, the whole person’s hands and feet will be full of temperament.
Post time: May-18-2023