Relaxing Good Time - Fashion China

Author: Wu Di
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: Leisurely Tea Drinking
China is the birthplace of tea, and the art of tea drinking has a history of thousands of years. Since ancient times, the Chinese have had a saying about tea drinking: "One finds divinity, two find joy, and three find flavor." During leisure time, picking up a teapot, whether alone or inviting a few close friends to slowly savor the fragrant tea, is truly delightful.
The Chinese believe that tea is a beverage that promotes longevity and helps one stay away from suffering and illness. Modern science has proven that tea contains over a hundred chemical components, some of which are trace elements that can supplement human nutrition, while others have functions in preventing and treating diseases. Green tea is rich in vitamins and is a nutritious drink. The polyphenols it contains can inhibit the growth of cancer cells, playing a role in cancer prevention and treatment. Oolong tea can inhibit the absorption of glucose in the body, making it beneficial for weight loss. Black tea, with its warm properties, can help alleviate phlegm, aid digestion, and stimulate the appetite—making it particularly suitable for those with weak stomachs. Pu-erh tea can prevent cardiovascular diseases and has long been internationally renowned as the "tea for longevity." Tea also helps prevent radiation exposure, making it an even healthier "work beverage" for those who constantly interact with computers.
Those who understand tea are not only discerning about its quality but also have detailed requirements for the water, tea utensils, timing, setting, brewing, and drinking methods. Through the external form of tea drinking, one can appreciate the mild and refined nature of tea, which is beneficial for health, emotional well-being, self-cultivation, and enlightenment—hence the saying, "Drinking tea cultivates the Tao."
Chinese tea varies in flavor due to differences in origin and production methods. Tea lovers enjoy green tea in spring, Gongju (sun-dried chrysanthemums, especially famous in Hangzhou, Zhejiang) in autumn, oolong tea, Pu-erh tea, and Tieguanyin in late autumn and winter. There is always an endless variety of tea fragrances to savor throughout the year. As a result, in the bustling and noisy corners of cities, one can often stumble upon a tranquil and elegant tea house, creating an interesting contrast with the hurried crowds around. Leisurely tea drinking is gaining increasing popularity in urban life. People discover that this ancient pursuit is an excellent companion for quiet reflection and a "pressure reliever" when facing setbacks.