Slug: chiteart
For City
Words and pictures by Clarence Koh

Tea has accompanied Chinese civilisation for thousands of years that tea-drinking itself has turned into a culture. No matter it is during happy or sad occasions, Chinese tea is always served as a connotation of friendliness and respect.

The custom of serving tea to the elderly as a sign of respect has been gradually forgotten by the younger generation. In addition, the Chinese tea-drinking culture is not gaining popularity of the majority, anymore.

Establishment of side walk cafes and intrusion of Western culture have proven the desire of younger generation for excitements and new ideologies. But this should not mean discarding the culture of our ancestors.

Tea-drinking is actually more than just a culture. Along the way of modernisation, it has shifted from a plain cultural practice into an art of communication. The moment when one settles down for a cup of Chinese tea, he is calm, relaxed and prepared for a communication process to take place.

Chinese tea art is undergoing the revolution of a simpler and modernised brewing process to suit the pace of younger generation. It is a way to relax and calm down for a clearer mind. This is when one could think more carefully and be enlightened to get a solution for his problems.

Moreover, drinking Chinese tea also sees the reflection of the person's personality and characteristics. Different tea leaves with its combination of colour, taste and fragrance is believed to be able to project the drinker's inner self.

Different tea leaves reflect different personalities and characteristics. Chinese tea can generally be grouped into six types: Green Tea, Yellow Tea, Red Tea, White Tea,  Qing Tea (Oolong Tea) and the Black Tea, each categorised based on the level of fermentation and processing techniques.

Tea leaves are normally passed on to the guests, in a tea receptacle for appreciation before the brewing process. Characteristics of tea could be observed through the rich deep colour and fine texture of the tea leaves.

Chinese tea art is not just about tea drinking but also the usage of proper tea utensils. Different teapots bring out the unique characteristics and flavour of different types of tea leaves. Artistic tea ware comes in different shapes and designs that adds on to your savouring pleasure.

Collecting Chinese teapots has become a hobby for many, due to its uniqueness and aesthetic value. Nurturing a teapot takes time and patience. The outcome, the seasoned teapot would look more glossy and refined, which enhances its classic beauty.

Admiring the tea colour is one of the steps to test the quality of the tea. Good quality tea is generally rich and translucent while inferior tea is dull and murky. Other savouring steps include sniffing the fragrance and tasting the tea. Hence, engaging the eye, nose and tongue.

For more information about Chinese tea art, call Purple Cane Tea Art Centre at 03-284 0322. For demonstration or merchandise, the centre is located at Unit LG-011, lower ground floor, Mid Valley Megamall.

As follows is a simple guide for Chinese tea preparation.

The art of tea preparation:
1. Warm the teapot and cups.
2. Take out tea leaves and present it to the guests.
3. Put the tea leaves into the pot.
4. Pour boiling water into the pot from a high position, in circular motion, slowly to the brim.
5. First round of water is to wash the tea leaves. Within 15 seconds, pour out the tea into a pitcher and rewarm the pot and cups.
6. Fill the pot again with boiling water.
7. After steeping for 20 seconds, lift the teapot and dry its bottom on the tea towel.
8. Pour tea into pitcher before emptying tea from pitcher into cups.
9. Serve the guests.
10. Before drinking, appreciate the colour and smell of the tea. Then, slowly sip it.



Pix Captions:
1. Prologue of tea drinking...Tea leaves are passed on to the guests for appreciation.

2. Tao of modern tea art...simpler and modernised brewing process for a clearer mind.

3. The potion of senses...savouring steps engage admiring (eye), sniffing (nose) and tasting (tongue).

4. Tea personalities...Green Tea, Yellow Tea, Red Tea, White Tea,  Qing Tea (Oolong Tea) and the Black Tea.

5. Aesthetic pleasures...Artistic tea adds on to your savouring pleasure. A little plant injects life.

6. Treasures for connoisseurs...Collecting Chinese teapots has become a hobby for many.