Food

Specialisation and Quality



Tea is a well established product in China with mature market and discerning well informed customers. It is universally consumed at restaurants, work and at home. It is also served in specialist tea houses.



There is a strong tradition of drinking the locally produced tea. For example in the An Xi area, which produces 95% of China's Tie Guan Yin tea, local people drink this tea exclusively.



Tea shops in these areas are highly specialised which are differentiated by quality reflected by price. Outside a tea producing region tea shops will typically offer a wider variety of teas.



There is a greater emphasis on quality and acceptance of price differentials than in west. The price difference for a top quality tea can be up to 1,000 times that of a base quality tea for that type.



Most Chinese will regularly consume a medium to high quality tea. They may buy one tea quality for ordinary consumption and a higher quality for special occasions.



Top quality teas are often sold as collectables or gifts. Companies give them to clients as a demonstration of their wealth and prestige in being able to obtain rare and valued goods. As such China tends not to export their top quality teas, being able to fetch higher prices locally due to this local markets discernment and willingness to pay for quality.



Tea houses



In China, tea houses serve as a venue for people to meet informally and socialise, similar to the café tradition in the west. They open all day and night, with young people being the main clientele.



Characteristics of teas such as its inertness and ability to repeatedly infuse by toping up a teapot with hot water allow for informal chats that can last longer than a cup of coffee. A serve of tea leaves is generally subject to repeat to up to 4 infusions.



Aiding this is the ambience created through layout of the tea house, comfortable setting, background music, and availability of a variety of small food dishes that can complement the tea, and sometimes entertainment. Some tea houses also offer the option of a private room or cubicle.



Tea is ordered by price (eg. a serve of 10 Yuan Tie Guan Yin up to 200 Yuan Tie Guan Yin). Affordability and importance/status of the guests are determinants of what quality to order.



There are also small and casual tea bars or stalls, in parks or even on the street sides. The setting is in the open or semi-open space with a small number of tea tables and benches for visitors to enjoy a chat around a pot of tea.



Teas are consumed at restaurants too – but the emphasis here is on the food rather than the tea.



Tea drinking at a family and individual level



Tea is widely and more frequently consumed within homes, with most families use their teapot on a daily base.



Chinese are particularly fond of a good tea after a meal. The sensation of the tea is of being an aid to digestion and neutraliser of excessive fats. As many cups as family members or visiting friends is made available.



Further to the above, individuals (mainly mid to old age tea drinkers) consume tea in the offices, factories, farm fields, trains, buses and even in parks.



Most of the people would purchase their teas from a specialized tea shops. These tea shops offer the opportunity to sample a tea before purchase, provide access to professional opinion and advice about tea preparation, storage and seasonal information related to the last harvest. They allow access to fresher teas due to better tea storage and high turnover than a supermarket.



Tea infusers (all-in-one) are increasingly used at home or in the office. Some loose tea leaves and hot water is all needed to make a cup. At places like buses and parks, the tea vessels used range from a thermal flask to a simple glass bottle with a lip (to carry pre-made tea). These practical methods might not be ideal for having a perfect cup of tea (Gong Fu Tea). For most Chinese, sometimes it is about balancing between enjoyment and practicality.



Chinese however rarely do tea bags. Tea bags are not for Chinese, unless they are herbal or blend teas.

EnJie is the owner of http://www.valleygreentea.com.au. She has the contacts and background to both source quality Chinese tea and provides comment on the related culture.

About the author

EnJie is the owner of Valley Green Tea : a site promoting premium grade Chinese tea. Her passion involves sharing the enjoyment and culture associated with authentic Chinese tea

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