Wednesday, January 13, 2010

The Ancient Traditions of Chinese Tea Drinking

By Roselah Varde

The medical use of Chinese tea has gained its renowned name throughout the world. It was believed to have originated from ancient China. A story dating back from 2737 B.C. was told about the Legendary Shen Nong who always boils his drinking water for hygienic purposes.

The legend says that when Emperor Shen Nong stopped by to rest after a long way journey. His servants were boiling the water for Him and for everyone to drink, when some dried leaves from a bush nearby, fell into the container of boiled water. Being a herbalist and a scientist of his time, the Emperor tasted the water and discovered that it was delightfully good to the taste. From there drinking Chinese Tea became a culture among Chinese people.

Chinese Tea was used only as a medicinal beverage, from that time. But in 300 A.D. it became a daily drink. Being widely produced today, toxins from the body is known to be purged out by tea. In fact, nicotine is discharged from the body quickly with tea, which is good for smokers. Also, tea helps in digestion, that is why many Chinese people, after their meals, drink tea. The effect of drinking tea is refreshing and a tonic to the body.

Not only for its health benefits, Chinese Tea, being a significant part of the Chinese Culture, serves as an avenue for Chinese people to cultivate their family values. By serving a cup of Chinese tea, and by inviting and paying for their drinking tea, younger generations show respect to the elderly.

A son or a daughter serves tea to their parents at home to sincerely apologize whenever they grieved their parents. In restaurants, tea drinking with the whole family is an important family gathering because it shows a wonderful picture of the family values of Chinese.

An important social value is being imparted by tea drinking during wedding ceremonies. In front of their parents, the groom and the bride, as a way of showing gratitude, shall serve tea. In expression of their response, the parents also would drink a little from the served tea. Likewise, all the members of the family, both from the bride and groom's relatives, would be served with tea by the couple. During the wedding, the Chinese Tea ceremony would be a place for them to meet. If someone would refuse to drink, it signifies that he does not approve the wedding.

From the small unit of the community - the family and to the large community of the society, Chinese tea drinking has been a treasured tradition that displays a remarkable family and social values of the Chinese people from the ancient days and until this present time. - 14130

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