Chinese Tea Drinking: The Values Behind the Traditions

By Roselah Varde

Throughout the world Chinese tea has gained its renown because of its medical use. Tea was said to originate from the ancient China. Dating back from 2737 BC story told about Legendary Emperor Shen Nong who for hygienic purposes always had its drinking water boiled.

According to the legend, when Emperor Shen Nong was on a long way journey he stopped by to rest. While his servants boiled water for Him and for them to drink, dried leaves from a nearby bush fell into the container of boiled water. The emperor as a known herbalist and a scientist of his time tasted the water and discovered it was good and delightful to the taste. Since then Chinese tea drinking has been a culture among the Chinese people.

Chinese Tea has been used as a medical beverage only ever since that day. It was not until 300 A.D., when it became a daily drink habit. Today, tea is known to purge toxins out from the body. Interestingly, tea discharges nicotine from the body fast, which benefits smokers. Also, the reason for Chinese people to drink tea after their meals, is that it helps in digestion. Drinking tea has a refreshing and tonic effect 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.

Tea drinking also imparts an important social value shown during wedding ceremonies. The groom and the bride shall serve a tea in front of their parents as a way of manifesting their gratitude. The parents then express their response by drinking a minute portion of the served tea. The couple would also served tea to all family members both from the groom's relatives and bride's relatives. The Chinese tea ceremony during the wedding will serve as an avenue for both parties to meet. If there be anyone who refuses to drink it signifies that he does not approve the wedding.

From the small unit, the family and to the large community in the society, drinking Chinese Tea has been a treasured tradition that shows a remarkable social values of the Chinese families from the ancient days until today. - 30294

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