Part Two on Tea Growing Regions
The ancient birthplace of tea is China, where according to legend it was discovered in 2737 B.C. Historically in Chinese culture tea is considered one of the seven necessities of life, the other six being rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar and firewood.
Tea growing in China is a vast industry – only a sketch of the main tea types will be gone over here. From China come many varieties of these exceptional teas:
Black Tea – Keemun, Golden Monkey, Congou, Lapsang Souchong Smoked Black Tea
Green Tea – Gunpowder, Hyson, Dragonwell, Jasmine Green, Jasmine Pearls, Jasmine Flowering Teas
Oolong Tea –Iron Goddess Oolong, Wuyi Oolong (commonly called ‘weight loss’ tea)
White Tea - White Tip Silver Needle
Pu-erh Tea - Pu-erh Beng Cha, aged & fermented tea cake
For many years Gunpowder Green Tea was one of the main exports of Chinese tea. Gunpowder tea was a term used by the English for the tea because the leaves are rolled into tiny pellets resembling gunpowder. The Chinese call it zhū chá literally bead or pearl tea. Other famous Chinese Green Teas are Dragonwell and Jasmine Green Tea. Jasmine Tea is green tea (sometimes made with oolong tea) infused and cured with fragrant ‘night blooming’ jasmine flowers.
Taiwan is too a major tea growing area famous for its Gunpowder & Oolong teas.
NEXT: Teas of India
Bon Jour!
Rob Leavitt
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