Tea is everywhere in China and yet most travelers leave knowing almost nothing about it. Here is what to drink, where to drink it, and how to avoid the famous tea-house scams.
Tea is the everyday drink of China
Long before coffee shops arrived, tea was the social glue of Chinese cities. A traveler who learns even the basics will unlock conversations, hospitality and small moments of stillness that no museum can provide.
The six broad families
Green tea, white tea, yellow tea, oolong, black tea (called red tea in China) and post-fermented dark tea such as pu-erh. Each comes from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, and the differences are about how the leaves are processed. Green is the most common and best paired with light meals; oolong has the broadest range of flavors; pu-erh ages like wine and pairs beautifully with rich food.
Where to taste tea well
In Hangzhou, the West Lake area is the source of Longjing, the most famous green tea in China. In Wuyishan, Fujian, you can hike to the cliffs where Da Hong Pao is grown. In Yunnan, the old tea-horse road towns around Pu-erh are the place to learn about the dark teas. In Chengdu, the public tea gardens in People Park give you a casual two-dollar pot and an afternoon of people watching.
The famous scam to avoid
If you are wandering near Wangfujing in Beijing or Nanjing Road in Shanghai and a friendly group of young Chinese students invites you to a tea ceremony or art exhibition, politely decline. The tea-house scam ends with a bill of 100 to 300 US dollars for a few small cups. Real tea houses post their prices and do not aggressively approach foreigners on tourist streets.
How to taste tea like a local
Sniff the dry leaves first. Pour the first short steep over the cups to warm and rinse them; that water is discarded. Steep again for 10 to 30 seconds for oolong and dark teas, and 1 to 2 minutes for greens, then enjoy across multiple infusions. Each round will taste different; that is the point.
What to bring home
Vacuum sealed leaf bags travel well. Pu-erh cakes are the most resilient. Buy from a shop that lets you taste before purchasing, and avoid the airport stalls.
One last tip
If you are invited into a Chinese home, drink the tea you are offered without rushing. Refilling a guest cup is a sign of welcome, and tapping two fingers on the table is the silent way to say thank you without interrupting conversation.
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