National Treasure: "Art of Tea"

Everyday Chinese Tea dedicates itself to being the most professional promoter of tea art. We offer online tea courses to teach people how to use tea utensils, brew tea, and identify the six main types of Chinese tea.

Tea Art Culture

Tea originates from China. Not just a beverage, but also a culture.

Tea art is an important part of tea culture. It holds special cultural and historical meaning for the Chinese people. For thousands of years, tea art has fascinated people and become a treasure of Chinese civilization.

On June 7, 2008, the State Council approved tea art. They added it to the second batch of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

Tea art is one of China's national treasures. It includes several parts. These are selecting tea, choosing water, brewing techniques, tea ware design, and creating a good environment.

Chinese tea art culture has a long history. As early as the Tang Dynasty, Lu Yu’s The Classic of Tea systematically explained tea art.

Tea art is a cultural phenomenon that forms during the tea-drinking process. An organic combination of "tea" and "art" exists.

The tea ceremony follows specific rules. It shows the art of brewing, steeping, and drinking tea.

This makes drinking tea an art form. It adds spirituality and beauty to the experience.

The Beauty of Tea Art

Tea art is the art of brewing and tasting tea. The beauty of tea art comes from many things. It includes the tea, water, and utensils used.

The environment also plays a role. The person making the tea adds to the beauty too. Finally, the overall atmosphere is important as well.

The first and most important step in tea art is selecting the tea. China has many types of tea. You can group these into six main types based on how they are made: green tea, white tea, yellow tea, oolong tea, black tea, and dark tea.

Each type of tea has its own unique origin, production methods, and flavors, presenting different aromas, tastes, and textures. For example, green tea is refreshing and sweet.

White tea is light and delicate. Black tea is rich and fragrant. Oolong tea has a strong aroma and fresh taste.

Yellow tea has a unique look with its yellow soup, leaves, and buds. It also has a rich flavor.

Tea has many different tastes and qualities. This makes it a unique drink. It offers people a variety of flavors and experiences.

Water is the mother of tea, and the quality of water directly affects the quality of the tea. The ancient Chinese thought mountain spring water was the best for brewing tea. River water was next, and well water was the least ideal.

They believed that tea-brewing water should have five qualities: clear, light, sweet, pure, and lively. Today, most people use purified or mineral water.

Utensils are the father of tea. In The Classic of Tea, Lu Yu designed 24 complete sets of tea utensils. The selection, use, and maintenance of tea utensils are crucial in tea art. Modern tea sets include teapots, teacups, tea trays, etc., and each piece of tea ware has its own role in tea art.

The "Six Gentlemen of Tea Ceremony" are the main tools used in tea making. They include the tea scoop, tea tongs, tea spoon, tea strainer, tea needle, and tea container.

The Beauty of People

This describes the performer's elegance and grace. They have good manners, a gentle voice, and a smooth expression.

The Beauty of the Environment

In traditional tea tasting, people often view the setting as perfect. It includes a gentle breeze, a bright moon, and the sounds of pine. Bamboo rhythms, blooming plum blossoms, and snow after a storm also add to the beauty. Together, these elements create an elegant and poetic atmosphere.

The Beauty of the Artistic Concept

Tea art also emphasizes the beauty of the artistic concept. When tasting tea, activities like playing the guqin, chess, calligraphy, and painting can make the experience better. Tea art combines beauty and spirit. It offers aesthetic views and provides spiritual support for individuals.

The Inheritance of Tea Art

Tea art originates from nature and returns to its essence. It uses tea as a way for people to enjoy its fragrance, sweetness, and charm. This happens through brewing, tasting, and appreciating tea. In the world of tea art, every tea leaf contains the essence of nature, and each tea brewing is a cleansing of the soul.

As time progresses, tea art continues to evolve and innovate. Modern tea art is not just a way of life but also a lifestyle and philosophy. It integrates tea ceremonies, etiquette, poetry, calligraphy, and painting, forming a Chinese tea culture with a strong national character.

We should value and share this great cultural tradition. This will help more people understand and enjoy the beauty of tea art.