becoming a travel agent: What You Probably Do Not Know About Chinese Tea

Friday, January 18, 2013

What You Probably Do Not Know About Chinese Tea - omy Blog

I am not lying when I say I drink Chinese tea almost every morning, when my love for Chinese tea rekindled after trips to Taiwan?s Alishan and China?s Shantou which is the land of origin of kungfu tea. Some may consider it an ?old man?s drink?, or that preparing gongfu tea is a set of tedious process.

Psychologically (and even physically), drinking Chinese tea makes me feel cleansed, rejuvenated and relaxed, as though all the greasiness from food is ?washed away?. While English tea houses are very popular locally, I think it is about time Chinese tea gets some attention and perhaps be more glorified.

Here are 10 Things You Probably Do Not Know About Chinese Tea

1. The 6 categories of teas are green tea, white tea, yellow tea, oolong tea, black tea and dark tea otherwise known as post-fermented teas.

2. If you see someone tapping on the table after drinking tea, there are actually thanking the tea master. The fingers tapping signify a bowing servant and a sign of respect.

3. Light-coloured teas go better with lighter-coloured food (chicken, fish, seafood), while darke- coloured teas go better with red meats and oiler food.

4. Black Tea is known as Red Tea in Chinese (think about your bubbletea red tea) because Westerners name teas after the color of the leaves while Chinese name it after the color of the brewed tea.

5. Oolong tea and Pu-er are the most popular teas in Singapore due to the predominant Hokkien community.

6. Tea that has been left overnight should not be drunk as bacteria will grow on it when left unattended.