In the life of the people of China, tea stands in a special place, and drinking tea has completely turned into a separate art of the tea ceremony.
The Chinese prefer tea to other drinks even in the summer: it not only quenches thirst, but also enhances 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 ancestor of the entire Chinese people, Shen Nong, whose name in Chinese means "Divine Earth Plower". It was this hero who taught the people to plow the land, grow cereals, as well as medicinal and other useful plants.
Tradition has it that Shen Nong had a bull head and a human body, while his stomach was made of transparent jade. Shen Nun helped people cure ailments, and for this he wandered around the country in search of medicinal plants, separating them from common poisonous plants. The physician checked the effect of the found herbs on himself. At the same time, he observed the effect of the eaten plant or its fruits on the body through his transparent stomach. They say that once he tried a new, unfamiliar plant and as a result received severe poisoning. When he felt completely ill, he lay down under an unfamiliar bush. Suddenly, a dewdrop rolled from the leaves of the bush. Having swallowed this drop, the healer felt a surge of strength and pleasant vivacity throughout the body.
Since that time, Shen Nun carried the leaves of this plant everywhere, using them as an antidote. It so happened that he taught the whole Chinese people to drink tea as a medicine.
In ancient times, tea was a drink for rich people. No one knows for sure when he switched to an everyday drink. At the same time, in the 1st century BC, tea was widespread, and it could already be purchased 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 penetrated into Russia. The literature reports that the Cossacks presented tea to the Russian Tsar in 1567 as a gift. In fact, the Russians were able to appreciate the fragrant drink in the 19th century. It was then that the Russian tea ceremony was formed. In Moscow, they learned to brew tea in the world famous Russian samovars.
In China, the tea ceremony is a ritual where, when brewing a drink, a certain order is followed. The main goal of this action is to reveal the taste and aroma of tea, and the rush here is inappropriate. The Chinese tea ceremony implies calm and tranquility. Fancy tea utensils, elegant dishes of a small size, 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 throughout the world and a long finish.
Features of the Chinese tea ritual
The tea ceremony in China is called gungfu-cha: the gung is the highest art, and cha is, of course, tea. The Chinese themselves attach special importance to the ritual. They have this skill, which not everyone can master.
The Chinese tea drinking ritual is considered one of the most mysterious and mysterious 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. There are certain conditions for receiving this energy, which are summarized in the rules of the tea drinking ceremony.
Special Water Requirements
The choice of water, which will brew tea, is crucial. It must be from a clean source. The most suitable is the one that has a sweetish flavor and soft structure.
When making tea, boiling water is important. It does not need to be brought to a strong boil, because of this, its own energy leaves it. They say that water is considered to boil to the state of tea you want, as soon as bubbles appear in it, they are not allowed to boil violently.
Sounds of music
Traditionally, before the ceremony begins, a person must purify 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 helps to immerse a person in the depths of his soul and helps to better merge with nature.
What is customary to talk about at a tea ceremony?
During the tea ritual traditionally 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 statuette or image next to tea utensils.
The 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 tea drinking, it is not customary to talk loudly, wave hands or make noise. To feel the true pleasure of the drink and true happiness helps complete concentration.
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 tradition of soul contact.
Tea ceremony interior
All present are seated on straw rugs laid on the floor. Around the guests lay soft pillows in a pleasant warm color. In the middle, there is a tea table called a shepherd, about 10 cm high. It looks like a kind of drawer made of wood. There are special holes in it, where the rest of the tea is poured, because in China, excess water indicates abundance.
When all the basic principles of tea drinking are observed, the solemn moment of tea drinking itself comes.
So Chinese Tea Party
Before guests reveals a set for a tea ceremony. The dishes include: a teapot for brewing, a vessel - cha-hai, a tea box called cha-ha, and a tea pair. All utensils for the tea ceremony should be made in the same style and not distract their appearance from the wonderful drink.
First of all, the master falls asleep in tea-tea - a special porcelain box, which is designed to study the structure of tea and inhale its smell. All participants slowly pass it into the hands of each other and inhale the aroma. This ritual has one more meaning - during the transmission of cha-cha, those present come closer to each other.
After that, the gongfu master brews tea. The first poured boiling water is drained - thus the dust is washed off the tea. But already from the next fill, 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 (wensabey), designed to perceive the 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 with just всего and immediately covered with a wide cup. After a while, the upper cup is removed and, bringing the lower one 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 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 hustle and bustle of our lives.
Tea ceremony in England
The UK is one of the world leaders in the consumption of tea per person. Tea for the British is not just a habit, it is a ritual with its own established traditions. He emerged from the English-characteristic Five-o-clock Tea.
The traditional set for the tea ceremony among the British is a white or blue tablecloth without drawings, 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 a knife, napkins to match the tablecloth.
Snacks are always served for tea - these are different types of English pastries. Traditionally, guests can choose from 5-10 varieties of tea, where Lapsang Souchong, Earl Gray, Darjeeling, Assam, as well as different blends of tea are indispensable.
By the way, another important serving element is a quilted or woolen tea-cap for tea (cozy-tea).
The tea ceremony in England has a secret. When brewing tea, it is taken into account that they will no longer be diluted in cups with boiling water. This means that when brewing, a teapot is placed in the kettle based on the fact that 1 teaspoon of tea falls on 1 person. In the case when using a large teapot, it is recommended to add another 1 spoon for all.
Then, for 3-5 minutes, the tea is infused, and it is poured into the guests. Immediately after this, you need to pour boiling water from a jug into the kettle (a feature of the tea ceremony is to refill the tea leaves) and cover it with tea-cozy to maintain the temperature. By the time the first cup is finished drinking, the second fill has time to infuse. The kettle can be poured 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.
