It's All About Tea — tea traditions

While butter tea usually causes confusion in most not familiar with it, it actually has a rich and interesting history. It has been a staple for people living in the Himalayas for centuries and continues to be so.

WHAT IS BUTTER TEA?

Butter tea has many names in different languages but is commonly known as po cha. It originated in the Tibetan Himalayas but is now commonly enjoyed throughout Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, India, western China and Mongolia. To make butter tea, four ingredients are needed: tea leaves, butter, water, and salt. (Read more)

While we are not originally from a Chinese background, like many of our followers, we enjoy learning about the Chinese Tea Ceremony and everything it offers. It is easy to get carried away in the world of aromatic teas and breathtaking teaware. We are always eager to expand our knowledge of brewing techniques and proper tea preparation methods. However, today we will talk about the parts of Chinese tea ceremony culture that we don't part take in as often as we would in Gong Fu Style tea brewing. (Read more)

For any tea enthusiast out there, an essential part of the tea discovery journey is visiting an authentic tea house. In a Chinese style tea hut, we can experience tea the way it has been traditionally enjoyed for centuries. Whether you’re a seasoned drinker, or someone just getting into the vast world of tea, it is important to know about some of the etiquette of tea drinking when you are visiting a tea house. (Read more)

The Moon Festival is a national holiday and one of the most important days for the citizens of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, as well as other Asian countries. It is somewhat equivalent to Thanksgiving in the US and Canada. One of the most common ways to celebrate is to gather with your family and loved ones, sitting under the bright shining moon, while eating mooncakes, drinking tea, and appreciating each-others company. (Read more)

It is true that Taiwanese tea culture is rapidly changing to suit the economy and the environments of the new generation. However, we remain grateful that we are still able to sit down and enjoy a long, peaceful gong fu cha tea ceremony with some of Taiwan’s finest Alishan Oolong. The serene environment of Taiwan’s tallest, foggy mountain remains unchanged. While sipping our tea, we acknowledge the hundreds of years long journey that tea went through, as well as the hard work of the tea farmers and their dedication to quality and tradition. (Read more)