It's All About Tea — chinese tea

The heart of tea's diversity lies in its countless varieties, each contributing its taste, aroma, and flavor to the world of tea. The major varieties, Camellia Sinensis and Camellia Assamica, are well-known in the tea community for the wide array of tea flavors and textures they give birth to. However, beyond these popular varieties exists a realm of lesser known species that play a crucial role in the rich and varied world of tea.

This article aims to explore the depth of tea varieties, from the renowned to the rare. We'll dive into each variety's history, characteristics, and unique qualities, offering a comprehensive look at the plants that create our beloved beverage. At the same time, we hope to contribute to a better understanding of the tea plant and create a more vibrant and detailed representation of the rich world of flavors, aromas, and tastes induced by the vast array of tea varieties out there. (Read More)

In China, the homeland of tea, tea lovers and connoisseurs usually consume tea in its pure state. That way, they can appreciate the depth of flavor and aroma unique to each tea type and variety. Yet, there's a parallel tradition that intertwines the age-old wisdom of medicine with tea by creating tea blends that are both therapeutic and aromatic. Mixing loose leaf tea with herbs, flowers, or fruits isn't random. It's mostly about enhancing tea's natural benefits. It also adds a twist of flavor and aroma that makes each sip a little more special. TCM doctors, tea experts, and tea lovers thoughtfully crafted these tea blends, balancing the health benefits and the sensory pleasures of the brew.

As we dive into the most popular blends for each tea type, we're not just exploring flavors. We step into a world where tea enhances our daily lives, addresses specific problems, or brings certain benefits, offering both health and pleasure in every cup. Ready to mix things up? (Read More)

"Champagne of teas", "the perfume of teas" are just a few among the nicknames of one of the most beloved teas out there, namely Dancong Oolong tea. Although Oolong tea came out as the last addition to the millennia-long tea history of China, it quickly gained popularity. It established itself, stealing the crown of red tea, or Hong Cha, as the most aromatic tea among the six tea types.

In this blog post, we'll unveil the mystery behind one of the most captivating aromas in the world of tea. We'll explore the factors that influence the formation of Oolong tea taste and aroma, and analyze the factors behind it, both from nature and science's points of view. We're talking specifically about Dancong Oolong, as it's the one type of Oolong tea with the most abundant variety of aroma profiles. However, the factors that influence the formation of the aroma and taste of Dancong Oolong apply to virtually any type of loose leaf oolong tea. Ready for it? Let's begin! (Read More)

In the previous blog post, we explored a hidden gem in the 22-million megapolis of Shenzhen – a tea house-turned-private museum of a renowned tea person, lover, and collector. Mr. Chen, the president of the Chaoshan Tea Association in Shenzhen, has a lifelong passion for tea and Gongfu Cha culture. With him as our guide, we embarked on a journey through time, discovering antique Gongfu Cha memorabilia, the air of then-times, and the stories hidden behind those objects.

In this blog post, we continue our journey in the Gongfu Cha realm, sipping high-quality almond-flavored Dancong Wulong, diving into the history and present of Gongfu Cha, as well as its representation in the daily life of local Chaozhou people (Read More)

A tea journey anywhere in Guangdong would not be complete without a visit dedicated to Gongfu tea culture and practice. Lucky for us, the 22-million megapolis of Shenzhen is not just near Chaozhou, the cradle of Gongfu tea. Many Chaozhou people moved there in the last four decades, making Shenzhen their new home. They have carried their culture and customs with them, establishing some of the most vibrant Gongfu tea communities in China and beyond. Currently, there are several tea associations, as well as a great number of tea companies and tea spaces originating from Chaozhou. They are engaged in the production and trade with Chaozhou-grown tea. At the same time, they promote and develop the Gongfu tea culture, shaping its new face and serving as a bridge between past and present times.

While in Shenzhen, we were lucky to meet with a notable figure in the Gongfu tea world, the president of the Chaoshan Tea Association in Shenzhen. Mr. Chen is a tea person who runs their own tea company and is a long-time collector of Gongfu tea culture artifacts and memorabilia. In an effort to preserve and pass on the legacy of his Chaoshan predecessors, he has turned his tea space into a private museum dedicated to Gongfu tea culture. (Read More)