Chinese culture generally differs from any other countries in the world. Some of their precious articles of trade like silk, porcelain and Chinese tea make known the distinctiveness of Chinese culture. The existence of Siberian winter to its north, heavy rainforests to its south, the great Himalayas Mountain, Gobi and the Taklamakan arid region have secluded China from the rest of the world. Thus, Chinese cultures were so rare and unique as it was developed in isolation.

Aside from the famous Chinese tea traditions, there are still many aspects that have been developed since ancient days. Chinese martial arts, Chinese cuisine, Chinese paintings, Chinese opera, Chinese Literature and Chinese gardens are some of the Chinese culture that has fascinated many tourists to visit China year after year.

Some of these Chinese cultures mentioned earlier has expended in its popularity to other parts of the world included in the list are: Chinese cuisine, Chinese tea beverage and Chinese martial arts. These have been widely incorporated in the lives of many people across the globe.

Chinese Cuisine from China has become widespread in many other parts of the world ranging from Asia to America, Australia, Western Europe and Southern Africa. Experts of Chinese cuisine have also sprouted in Eastern Europe and South Asia. American Chinese cuisine and Indian Chinese cuisine are prominent examples of Chinese cuisine that has been adapted to suit local appetites.

Chinese tea beverage in many varieties and class has captured the hearts of the many tea lovers all over the world because of its aroma, refreshing and soothing effect. Tea beverage is among the top 3 beverages in the world with coffee and cocoa on the list. All tea trees in other countries in either way have their origin directly or indirectly in China. That is why China is the home of tea.

Along with the popularity of Chinese tea, the Chinese martial art well-known as kung fu has become a famous culture that has spread out across the regions of Asia and other parts of the world. The influence of China, at the beginning, could only be read from books and seen from performance arts in Asia. In modern times, the introductions of martial arts in movies have gained a wider audience and wider influence. Now, many of the younger age group has been influence by Chinese martial arts as part of their daily physical fitness activity and self-defense lessons.

In several ways, Chinese culture is certainly unique and different from any other and continues to be influential as before.

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Tea, a sought after drink not only in China but in many countries, is also known as "cha". Among other drinks such as coffee and cocoa, tea has proved to be the most preferred. It is part in the Chinese way of life - even in Japan and other countries in Asia. Its replenishing energy lifts up one's health and fascinated many individuals to drink regularly. Tea indeed is a highly favored beverage.

The demand of tea increased rapidly. In fact there has been a wide cultivation of Chinese tea plant in China, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka among others. Around forty countries in the world cultivated tea, and it is in the Asian region where tea production reached as high as 90% of the world's total output. Asian top producers of tea include China, India, and Sri Lanka.

All tea trees in other countries in either way have their origin directly or indirectly in China. The history of human planting and growing of tea shrubs dates way back two thousand years ago. The Chinese tea plant was known to exist as early as five to six thousand years ago.

It is said that growing tea and harvesting tea is like growing grapes in a vineyard - it takes years to be able to cultivate a good crop.

Chinese tea plantation must grow for five years before its leaves can be picked. If the tea yard is already in its 30 years, it will not be productive as before. To keep the tea yard producing quality crops, the trunks of the already old plant should be cut off so that new stem would grow out. With that, a tea yard is ready again to serve for about a hundred years.

If in Sri Lanka tea cultivation is best grown in lower altitudes, in China tea plants are typically raised in high altitudes with a good amount of rainfall. Either way, each tea plant ensures to produce fine and distinctive kind of tea. In tea plantations there should be enough amount of sunlight but not too much for it would hinder the growth of such plantations. Cooler mornings with a light mist is just right and perfect to produce quality tea.

Accordingly, an estimated three thousand tea leaves from a tea plant each year means a good harvest. At present, all tea is practically cultivated and harvested on plantations.

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Tea drinking had long been existed in China. There are different types of Chinese tea; the four main types are black, green, oolong and white. Others add categories for red, compressed and scented teas. Moreover, some researchers recorded that there are actually more than 700 varieties of tea. Yet all of these varieties came from the same plant known as Camilla plant - the tea plant.

Chinese tea brewing is easy yet, it takes a lot of skill. Tea leaves are placed into containers particularly into teapots or cups. Hot water is then poured over the containers. Tea leaves are steeped for quite a few minutes. Teapots should be covered tightly and then hot water is poured over the covered teapots to keep hold of the heat. Then separate the leaves from the liquid and the tea liquid is ready for drink.

For Chinese tea drinkers brewing is made usually by preparing utensils such as cups and teapots. Many people preferred to prepare tea in cups using instant tea or tea bag which is a lot easier. On the other hand, some preferred to brew tea using loose leaf which produce more desirable flavor than tea bags. Chinese tea like black, green, oolong and white are prepared or served differently from each other.

For Black tea, it could be brewed in either of the two ways using a Chinese tea cup or a teapot. In a cup or teapot pour the boiling water slowly over the leaves. Cover and steeped for about 3 to five minutes. This is the recommended time to steep for a perfect flavor. Anything more than that makes the tea bitter.

On the other hand, Chinese favor the use of porcelain cups in brewing green tea. In line with Chinese tea culture, the use of porcelain cups would make better the quality of tea. In brewing, the boiled water is not poured directly over the tea leaves. Wait at most 3 minutes for it to be cooled then pour the water over the leaves. Cover and immerse it for about 2 to 3 minutes.

For Chinese tea like oolong, the utensils used for brewing comprise of kettles, teapots and cups which form a set known as "four treasures". During brewing, tea leaves are placed in a teapot. Boiling water is then poured over the leaves and the teapot is covered tightly. Hot water is poured over the covered teapot to retain the heat and then steeped for about 3 to 5 minutes. This is the best recommended time for most oolong tea types. After that the tea liquid is transferred into cups.

Now for white tea, pouring boiling water directly on the leaves could ruin the delicate flavor of tea. The water is boiled first and then let it sit for up to one minute. When the time is up, the water is then poured over the leaves. The recommended steeping time for most types of white tea is within 5 to 8 minutes.

Finally, brewing tea is all about the experience. Experiment and find the taste that you like best!

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