Learning Chinese

Culture

Tea Culture

Tea (茶, chá) has been central to Chinese culture for over 2,000 years. Offering tea to a guest is a basic act of hospitality, and pouring tea for elders is a sign of respect.

The major categories

Chinese tea is classified by how the leaves are processed:

  • 绿茶 — lǜchá — green tea. Unoxidized. Famous: 龙井 (Lóngjǐng) "Dragon Well".
  • 红茶 — hóngchá — literally "red tea", what English calls black tea. Fully oxidized.
  • 乌龙 — wūlóng — oolong, partially oxidized. Famous: 铁观音 (Tiěguānyīn).
  • 白茶 — báichá — white tea, minimally processed buds.
  • 普洱 — pǔ'ěr — fermented and aged tea from Yunnan. Gets better with age, sometimes for decades.

Customs at the table

  • When someone pours tea for you, lightly tap two fingers on the table to say "thank you" without interrupting the conversation.
  • Always serve elders first.
  • If your cup runs low, hosts will refill it without asking.
  • To say "no more, thank you," lay a finger across the rim.

Quiz

Pick the best answer for each question. You get feedback right away.

  1. What does Chinese 红茶 (hóngchá, "red tea") refer to in English?

  2. How do you silently thank someone for pouring you tea?

  3. Pu-erh tea (普洱) is special because it: