Mandy October 25, 2024
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As a vital part of Chinese heritage, tea culture is rich in history and meaning. In China, tea is more than just a beverage—it’s an experience for the senses and a way to connect socially. Chinese tea culture has evolved over centuries, from its medicinal origins to becoming an everyday drink, and finally to the establishment of unique tea arts, each stage infused with the wisdom and emotions of the Chinese people.
The discovery of tea dates back to the legend of Shen Nong, who experimented with various herbs, but the first historical record of tea as a beverage emerged during the Western Han Dynasty. Mentions of “boiling tea” and tea purchases in Wang Bao’s “Tong Yue” indicate the development of tea drinking customs and a growing tea market.
The Tang Dynasty was a flourishing period for China and a crucial era for the formation of tea culture. Lu Yu’s “The Classic of Tea” (Cha Jing) provided a comprehensive summary of tea production and consumption prior to the Tang era and established the principles of tea spirit: purity, simplicity, and virtue. Lu Yu and his contemporaries greatly valued the spiritual and moral aspects of tea drinking, refining tea utensils and brewing methods, which became the foundation of Chinese tea arts.
Tea culture reached new heights during the Song Dynasty. Tea production further advanced, and tea drinking became widely popular. Emperor Huizong of Song even wrote “The Treatise on Tea,” making him the only Chinese emperor to author a book on tea. The Song Dynasty’s tea culture spread widely, from the imperial court to the general population, creating diverse tea customs and tea arts.
In the Ming and Qing dynasties, loose-leaf tea gained prominence, leading to the structure of various types of tea gradually taking shape and new methods of tea brewing, from tea powder preparation to steeping loose leaves.
In Chinese tea culture, tea utensils are not just tools but expressions of art and culture. Teacups, Jian ware, and teapots each carry deep cultural significance and aesthetic value.
Jian Zhan: Specific to the Song Dynasty, Jian Zhan refers to the dark-glazed tea bowls from Jianyang kiln, which represent the Song tea culture. Jian Zhan is known for its distinctive glaze colors and patterns, like “hare’s fur,” “oil spot,” and “partridge feather,” which become even more vivid against tea. Jian Zhan’s thick body retains heat, making it suitable for the popular tea-whisking practices of the time.
Teapot: The teapot is central to the tea brewing process, holding both tea leaves and hot water to release the tea’s aroma. Chinese teapots come in many materials, with Yixing clay teapots being the most famous. Hailing from Yixing, Jiangsu, these teapots are prized for their unique clay and refined craftsmanship. Yixing clay’s breathability absorbs tea’s essence, enriching flavor with repeated use; seasoned Yixing teapots, even when filled only with boiling water, emit a subtle tea fragrance. The teapot’s shape and size vary to suit different types of tea and brewing methods.
The design of the teapot considers ergonomic aspects for easy handling and pouring, ensuring a smooth flow and clean pour, and the lid seals to help to preserve the tea’s temperature and aroma.
In Chinese tea culture, the choice and use of tea utensils reflect both utility and aesthetics. Teacups, Jian ware, and teapots serve as bridges between humans, nature, and culture, allowing people to experience the depth and artistry of tea culture through the act of tea drinking. The growth and continuity of tea culture have enriched spiritual life and contributed to social advancement.
