China is one of world’s earliest tea producing countries. Chinese tea is a significant part of the Chinese culture and a daily necessity to most of the Chinese people. Tea culture lasts thousands of years in China.

For centuries, the ritual of preparing and serving tea has held a special place in the hearts and minds of Chinese aristocracy and intellectuals. Tea serving and savoring ceremony are highly regarded among intellects. It inspires other forms of Chinese art including calligraphy, poetry and songs.

Processed in different fashions, it falls into such categories as red tea, green tea, jasmine tea and wulong tea. Among the better known branches of Chinese tea are “Longjing” of Hangzhou city, “Biluochun” of Dongting Lake, “Tunlu” and “Qihong”of Anhui Province, “Maojian” of Mt. Huangshan, “Yihong” of Hebei Province, Jasmine tea of Beijing and “Tieguanyin” of Fujian Province. Some other known tea like “Pu-erh” of Yunnan Province is also very popular among Chinese.

In southern China, miles and miles of green tea fields can be seen. Teas

are grown and picked in different seasons for best results.

Chinese take great delight in savoring a good cup of tea while chatting with loved ones or friends. Almost every restaurant will serve tea before or after the meals. Tea-drinking is considered a healthy habit in daily life. The tea pots and tea cups are great souvenirs for travelers.

In cites, tea houses are quite often seen. They serve both good teas and local delicacies and are usually considered ideal locations for friendly chatting or business dealing among Chinese- often serving the similar functions as those coffee shops in the west.