Do you know your tea?
In the western world, generally speaking, the folks know their wine. In the east, we should know our tea. This is especially so among the early Chinese scholars and the elite, they really know their tea. How about you, do you want to know?
There are six types of teas consumed by the Chinese :
Green unfermented green leaves that produce a pale and slightly astrigent infusion.
Red fermented, producing a strong infusion but much less popular than green tea.
Black fermented black leaves that produce a reddish infusion with a strong flavour.
Oolong semi-fermented with flavour of green tea and the strength of red.
Brick mixed teas pressed into a block and popular with Russians,Tibetans and nomadic tribes in the north of China
Flower scented good quality green tea mixed with dried fragrant flowers, such as jasmine, rose and chrysanthemum.
In a traditional tea house, “Yum Cha” is not just about having your “char siew pau” and tea. In real terms it is having tea in the traditional Chinese way. A number of factors are involved in making a good cup of Chinese tea. The blend,freshness,quality of the leaf,hardness and the temperature of the water comes into play. The initial temperature of the little tea pot, time permitted for the infusion etc. A good cup of tea should not have milk or sugar added to it. It is almost as taboo as putting ice cubes into your mug of beer!
I would like to organise a talk in a tea house if there is enough SHC members who are interested. May I have your response, please.?
Edwin Chen
. I enjoy travelling and used to do so with my two daughters, but it’s not convenient now as they have their own agenda although they do try to spend as much time as they can with me. I also enjoy dancing a little, especially social dancing, but there again, I need a partner. Anyone interested?
