Chinese drinking tea

[marmaduke]

Do the Chinese still drink tea? What do they think of Earl Grey et al? Do they add milk?

[natalie_1982]

A Chinese friend of mine drinks hot water all day and not tea, although I obviously can't speak for all Chinese people.  She says it's good for the digestive system and keeps your skin clear, I drink it all the time now instead of coffee or tea and I feel it does make a difference.

[Pinotage]

Yes, the Chinese drink tea, but its not as we know it.

 

Usually its a few large peices of leaf in a cup of warm water, scented and very refreshing. You can get this in Chinese restaurants here.

 

But there are hundreds of different teas, and a Chinese tea shop is the place to explore them. Some have the leaves bundled together so they look like  a flower or anenome at at the bottom of the cup.

 

The British habit of adding milk to tea changes the drink into a tea flavoured milk drink and is best avoided.

[Bangkok]

Chinese tea is based aroud herbs and spices, and tends to be very delicate and healthy.  Jasmine tea is a particular favourite.  A lot of the tea varieties are homepathic medicines for specific ailments.

[Ammy]

The chinese never stopped drinking tea.

I've just come back from spending three months in China, and all I can say is that you would have a hard time finding ANY milk in China, let alone in tea.

Ok slight exaggeration, but really, they don't use milk much in China.

Tea is sold as loose leaves that you just add hot water to, there's no such thing as adding milk or sugar. They have loads of different types, the most common being green tea and jasmine tea.

Everyone drinks tea, when you go anywhere to eat tea is costantly provided throughout your meal free of charge. Taxi drivers carry around a flask with them, as do students in school. Everyone reuses the leaves- topping up the water throughout the day.

I do have to say that chinese tea felt so much healthier than english tea and it tasted and smelt better too. I didn't come across any 'english' teas there, let alone anyone drinking them. But I'm sure it would have been possible to find them in western shops for crazy money.

[FP]

I cannot possibly understand how people can add milk to tea.  They just don't seem to go together at all.  I get fed up with people turning their noses up and telling me that my milkless tea looks 'disgusting'.  Perhaps I better go and live in China where people know how to drink proper tea!!!!

[pablito-uk]

I have just started to drink organic green tea bought from my local health store. It's fantastic! I love the taste, which is not too different from what I have been drinking for years (ie PG Tips or similar). I take it without milk, as recommended by many people. The health benefits are amazing too. It combats cancer, improves skin and the digestive system, and may allow you to live many years longer, hence the healthy older generation in Asia, despite being heavy smokers! (NB. Consult a Doctor or something for proper health advice...)

I know that this doesn't really add to the thread at all, but I thought I'd add my thoughts! Cheers.