Tea ceremony in China. The Art of the Tea Ceremony

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:48

In the life of the people of China, tea has a special place, and drinking tea has become a separate art of the tea ceremony.

Chinese prefer tea to other drinks even in the summer: it not only quenches thirst, but also boosts immunity.

Tea ceremony in China - a bit of history

The appearance of tea is attributed to one of the main figures of Chinese mythology, the divine progenitor of the entire Chinese people, Shen Nong, whose name in Chinese means "Divine Farmer". It was this hero who taught the people to plow the land, grow cereals, as well as medicinal and other useful plants.

The legend says that Shen Nong had a bull's head and a human body, while his belly was made of transparent jade. Shen Nong helped people treat ailments, and for this he wandered around the country in search of medicinal plants, separating them from the often found poisonous ones. The healer tested the effect of the herbs found on himself. At the same time, he observed the effect of the eaten plant or its fruits on the body through histransparent belly. It is said that once he tried a new, unfamiliar plant and as a result received severe poisoning. When he became very ill, he lay down under an unfamiliar bush. Suddenly, a dewdrop rolled from the leaves of the bush. Taking a sip of this drop, the doctor felt a surge of strength and pleasant cheerfulness throughout his body.

From that time on, Shen Nong carried the leaves of this plant with him everywhere, using them as an antidote. And so it happened that he taught the entire Chinese people to drink tea as a medicine.

In ancient times, tea was a drink for rich people. No one knows exactly when it transitioned into an everyday drink. At the same time, in the 1st century BC, tea was widely distributed, and it was already available on the market. And from 618 to 907, the Chinese tea ceremony began to develop, and the tea traditions of China were first described.

Over time, along the Great Silk Road, tea also penetrated into Russia. It is reported in the literature that the Cossacks presented tea as a gift to the Russian Tsar in 1567. Russians were able to truly appreciate the fragrant drink already in the 19th century. It was then that the Russian tea ceremony was formed. In Moscow, they learned how to brew tea in the world-famous Russian samovars.

In China, the tea ceremony is a whole ritual where a certain order is observed when brewing a drink. The main purpose of this action is to reveal the taste and aroma of tea, and haste is inappropriate here. The Chinese tea ceremony implies calmness and tranquility. Fanciful tea utensils, elegant small-sized dishes, as well as pleasant quiet music help to create a special atmosphere - thanks to all these factors, it becomes possible to enjoy the unforgettable fragrant aroma of a tea drink known all over the world and a long aftertaste.

Features of Chinese tea ritual

The tea ceremony in China is called gongfu-cha: gong is the highest art, and cha is, of course, tea. The Chinese themselves attach special importance to the ritual. They have this skill that not everyone can master.

The Chinese ritual of tea drinking is considered one of the most mysterious and enigmatic in the whole world. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the Chinese consider tea not just a drink. For them, tea is a wise plant, which is given to transmit the energy of life. To receive this energy, there are certain conditions that are summarized in the rules of the tea ceremony.

Special water requirements

The choice of water with which tea will be brewed is of decisive importance. It must be from a pure source. The most suitable is the one that has a sweetish aftertaste and a soft texture.

When making tea, boiling water is important. It does not need to be brought to a strong boil, because because of this, its own energy leaves it. They say that water is considered to have boiled to the desired state of tea, as soon as bubbles appear in it, they do not allow it to boil rapidly.

Soundsmusic

Traditionally, before the start of the ceremony, a person must cleanse himself, achieve a state of inner harmony and peace. That is why it takes place in a beautiful room and to the sounds of pleasant music, often bewitching and mystical. For the best effect, the tea ceremony master prefers to use the sounds of nature. This contributes to the immersion of a person into the depths of his soul and helps to better merge with nature.

What is it customary to talk about at the tea ceremony?

During the tea ritual, it is traditional to talk about the tea itself. In addition, an important element of the ceremony is the demonstration of respect for the tea deity and talk about him. Often masters put his figurine or image next to tea utensils.

Internal state of the audience

According to all the canons, the ritual takes place in an atmosphere of goodness and harmony. In the process of drinking tea, it is not customary to talk loudly, wave your hands or make noise. Full concentration helps to feel the true pleasure of the drink and true happiness.

By the way, the tea ceremony in China involves the participation of 2 to 6 people. It is in this case that you can achieve an amazing atmosphere, called in the traditions of the contact of souls.

Tea ceremony interior

All present are seated on straw mats spread on the floor. Soft pillows of a pleasant warm color are laid out near the guests. A table for tea, called a chaban, is set in the middle, about 10 cm high. It looks like a kind of wooden box. In himthere are special openings where the leftovers of tea are poured, because in China, excess water speaks of abundance.

When all the basic principles of tea drinking are observed, the solemn moment of the tea party itself comes.

So, Chinese tea drinking

The set for the tea ceremony is laid out in front of the guests. The utensils include: a teapot for brewing, a vessel - cha-hai, a tea box called cha-he, and a tea pair. All utensils for the tea ceremony should be made in the same style and not distract from the wonderful drink with their appearance.

First of all, the master puts the dry tea brew in the cha-he - a special porcelain box, which is designed to study the structure of tea and inhale its smell. All participants slowly pass it into each other's hands and inhale the aroma. This ritual has another meaning - during the transmission of cha-he, those present approach each other.

After that, the gongfu-cha master brews the tea. The first poured boiling water is drained - thus the dust is washed off the tea. But from the next pour, each guest of the ceremony enjoys a miraculous drink.

In front of each participant is a tea pair on a tray. These are two cups, one of which is high and narrow (wenxiabei), designed to smell, and wide and low (chabei) - to enjoy the color and taste of tea. The second water is poured into tall cups after it has been in the teapot for about 30 seconds. Wensyabei is filled only ¾ and immediately covered with a wide cup. After a while, the top cup is removed and,bringing the lower to the nose, inhale the wonderful aroma of the resulting tea. It is important to concentrate and merge with the energy of tea. Tea is drunk slowly, focusing on sensations.

Tea is poured until the drink retains its color and aroma. With each new filling, tea gets different shades of smell and taste.

As a result, the tea ceremony gives peace, peace of mind and helps to forget about the bustle of our lives.

Tea ceremony in England

Great Britain is one of the world leaders in tea consumption per person. Tea drinking for the British is not just a habit, it is a ritual with its own established traditions. It came from the English Five-o-clock Tea.

The traditional set for the tea ceremony among the British is a white or blue tablecloth without patterns, a vase with fresh white flowers. Tea pairs, a teapot with tea, a milk jug, a jug of milk, a strainer and a stand for it. In addition, you will need a sugar bowl (preferably with white and brown sugar), teaspoons, a fork and knife, napkins to match the tablecloth.

Snacks are always served with tea - these are various versions of English pastries. Traditionally, guests can choose between 5-10 types of tea, where Lapsang Souchong, Earl Grey, Darjeeling, Assam, as well as different tea blends are a must.

By the way, another important serving element is a quilted or woolen cover for a teapot (tea-cosy).

The tea ceremony in England has its own secret. Keep in mind when brewing teait is accepted that in cups with boiling water it will no longer be diluted. This means that when brewing, tea leaves are placed in the teapot based on the fact that 1 teaspoon of tea is for 1 person. When using a large teapot, it is recommended to add 1 extra spoon for all.

Then the tea is infused for 3-5 minutes, and it is poured to the guests. Immediately after this, you need to pour boiling water from a jug into the teapot (a feature of the tea ceremony is re-filling the tea leaves) and cover it with tea-cosy to maintain the temperature. By the time you finish drinking the first cup, the second filling has time to infuse. The kettle can be filled again, but each time the quality of the drink will deteriorate.

Traditionally, tea is drunk with milk, and tea is added to hot milk, and not vice versa.

Russian tea traditions

The tea ceremony in Moscow is a completely different tradition, very different from the rituals that have developed in the homeland of this drink. They say that the Japanese enjoy tea utensils, the details of the ceremony, their inner world when drinking tea. The tea ceremony in China - enjoying the taste and aroma of tea, English - is valuable by the very fact of observing traditions, entourage, pastries. And for Russians, the most important thing is the gathered company near the Russian samovar. Communication among all gathered is valuable.

In Moscow, they originally drank black tea. Boiling water is heated in a samovar, and a teapot is placed on top. The brew is made stronger than the tea that is eventually drunk. in cupstea leaves are poured, and then - boiling water from the samovar.

Pastries, lemon, sugar, jam and honey are always offered on the table for tea. The latter are most often eaten with tea or spread on bread. Often a "tea pair" - a saucer - is served to the cup. Hot tea is poured into it from a cup and drunk.

Whatever the tea traditions of different nations, everywhere this drink is valued for its pleasant taste, delicate aroma and unusual properties.