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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Chinese tea ceremonies are very important in the lives of all Chinese, from the ancient times to the present. Its evolution reflects its influence in the growth and significance of tea in the Chinese culture. The art of drinking and serving is in itself a major subject in each ceremony. For several years, the ritual of preparing and serving tea was well loved by Chinese aristocracy, court officials, intellectuals and poets.

In ancient times, Chinese tea was primarily cultivated and used for medicinal purposes. It was the Monks who taught the deeper values of like respect for nature, humility, sobriety and calmness. These values were incorporated in the preparation and serving of tea. In fact, the spirit of Chinese tea ceremony is known as he, jing, yi, zhen which means, peace, quiet, enjoyment and truth. This is because Monks believed they could share more philosophical concepts through tea service.

The Chinese tea is the center of tea ceremonies in China, and not the other way around. It is all about how the tea tastes, smells, and how a particular tea tasted differently than in previous ceremonies. Chinese tea ceremony is a celebration of tea, being a major aspect in the Chinese culture. The ceremony is not very strict in the manner of service, because it is not about who serves the Chinese tea, rather it is simply all about tea. Although each step in the service is respected as it is meant to be a journey of sensory exploration and appreciation.

For a tea ceremony to be successful, six important things should be considered. The host or the server should be in a happy, peaceful and calm mood. The best kind of tea should be selected not only based on smell, taste and shape, but the tea should also have a beautiful name and background story. The water should also be of the purest and highest quality so that the best tea taste and aroma is achieved. In addition, the teawares should be functional and attract the guests as the tea is served. The tea ceremony should be held in a peaceful, clean and calm ambiance. Finally, the tea should be served gracefully.

Chinese teas used in the tea ceremonies are mostly grown in the highlands of Taiwan. They cultivate teas that are refined such as the oolong and red teas. Black tea, green tea and yellow or white tea are other varieties of Chinese teas that are also grown there.

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