The Chinese have a saying: 'Firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar and tea are the seven necessities to begin a day.' Though tea is last on the list, we still can see its importance in daily life.
For the Chinese, tea drinking and tasting are not the same. Tea drinking is for refreshment and tonic effect.
Tea is compared to personal character. Its fragrance is not aggressive; it is pleasant, low-keyed and lasting. A friendship between gentlemen is also like a cup of tea. With a cup of tea in hand, enjoying the green leaves in a white porcelain cup, you will feel peace. Fame, wealth and other earthly concerns are far away. It is the symbol of elegance.
People of varying ages or status had tea made with different water in various wares. Miao Yu, a nun in the novel, treated aristocratic friends with either well-preserved rainwater from the previous summer or with snow water collected from snow on plum blossoms! This tasteful interest was a privilege of the past when the air was free of pollutants.
We also find from the novel that Thai tea was imported to China and enjoyed by the rich. One of the heroines from the wealthiest family in the city was bold enough to dislike this ; the rebellious hero also made negative comments about the tea. Maybe it had less to do with the its taste than with their psychological makeup.
Tea is a mysterious but harmonious combination; it is spiritual as well as material, and invigorating as well as pacifying. Its character is flexible in different environments. For example, as it goes in a different direction, a different tea culture is formed. In Japan, the rigorous tea ceremony reflects the nation's character of making full use of every resource, while tea also represents peace of mind. In the West, tea with sugar and milk may be served with desserts to create a leisurely and romantic atmosphere.
how did tea impact the daily lives of people in ancient china?
I am doing a project on this and I need to know details.
Since the discovery of this plant, its leaves have become the major drinking material in people's life. It would show up in many occasions. It is considered the best beverage to treat guests. The high-quality tea is also the best betrothal gift.
The most appropriate way to drink the soup is to savor every sip. In this way, tea ceremony was invented.