Chinese tea together with its inseparable Chinese tea sets has been around for more than two centuries. China, being known as the homeland of tea, exports more than 90% of tea across the globe. Between tea, cocoa, and coffee -- tea is consumed by most number of people in the world.
Tea is known by many names. In Russia "cha'i" is the vernacular name of tea, it is pronounced as "chaye" by the locals. The Philippines and China shared the same pronunciation of tea although they may not have the same spelling since it's spelled as "tsa-a" in the Philippines and "cha" in China.
Japan started its love for tea during the 6th century while the American and Europeans discovered this aromatic beverage only after the 17th and 18th century. People from different parts of the world enjoy the relaxing attributes of tea, but it is beyond doubt that the passion for tea started in the Yixing town of China.
Chinese teas are classified into several categories, but most of them are clustered according to how they are processed.
1. Green tea: The only variety of tea that can keep its natural color even after brewing is the green tea. Green teas that yield the perfect tea leaves are the following: Longjing tea of Zhejiang, Maofeng from the mountains of Anhui, and Biluochun of the Jiangsu province.
2. Black tea: Black tea is a type of tea that is fermented before it is baked. The best black teas leaves are Dianhong of Yunnan, Suhong of Jiangsu, and Qihong of Anhui. Black tea is also called "red tea" by most tea aficionados.
3. Wulong tea: A wulong tea is a special mix of tea that comprises of half of the green tea and half of the black tea. This type of tea is mostly popular in the south-eastern parts of China that includes Fujian, Guandong, and Taiwan.
4. Compressed tea: Compressed teas are also known as "brick teas" because of their shape. Most compressed teas are shaped in such manner so that they can be readily stored and used by consumers. The provinces that cater to these types of tea include Hunan, Hubei, Yunnan, and Sichuan.
5. Scented teas: Scented teas are popular because of their aroma. Magnolia and Jasmine flower extracts are the used in conjunction with tea to create an exotic aroma while adding a unique twist to the flavour.
When serving teas at afternoon tea gatherings and formal tea parties, it is proper that tea sets be used with tea. Tea sets are made of high quality porcelain, bone china, or silver, they are to be attractive as much as they are durable.
In China, the most popular type of tea set is made of Yixing clay. Historically, teas were believed to be brewed from these Yixing clay pots and are served to the guests after it has been cooled enough to drink. The Yixing tea set is named after a town in the eastern province of Jiangsu, China.
To assess the quality of these clay pots, we will have to look for a number of indicators. When tapping the body of the pot with another pot, a distinct sound should be heard. A good quality clay pot should have a metallic like sound.
A different way to assess the quality of a clay pot is to fill it up with water then close its lead. If the water flows smoothly out of the pot, it tells us that the pot is made to serve its purpose.
When brewing from a Yixing pot, a coat like material may appear, this coat is significant since this retains the natural flavour of the tea as it is used over time. Washing it with soap will erase the coating, therefore, it is better to wash it with warm water and air-dry it. Yixing is very popular among tea aficionados because of this unique ability.
Tea has become a lifestyle for a lot of people. Teas have different flavours and aromas to match the needs of every individual. Chinese tea sets are ideally used for Chinese teas since they complete the experience of oriental tea drinking. Yixing is most probably the best tea set for Chinese teas since it does not only enhances the flavour, but more importantly, enhances the essence of the tea.
S. Cheng is a home and lifestyle magazine editor based in Beijing, China. She has a passion for Chinese Tea Sets and many other oriental style of living. Check out her website about the Chinese Tea Sets here.
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