Teacher Liu, when I watch palace dramas, I notice that people in ancient times paid great attention to tea drinking and had many rituals. Do people in China still do that now?

Tea culture is indeed the essence of Chinese tradition! Although young people drink coffee nowadays, tea remains the most important. Did you know there are six main types of Chinese tea? Green, black, oolong, white, dark, and yellow tea.

So many types! Which kind does the Longjing tea I usually drink belong to?

Longjing is green tea, and it’s also the most popular among Chinese people. Green tea is unfermented, keeping the natural aroma of the leaves. Tieguanyin, used in gongfu tea, is oolong, and Pu’er is dark tea—each has its unique charm.

I noticed that when Chinese people pour tea for guests, they do it carefully, and sometimes they tap the table with their fingers. What does that mean?

Tapping the table is a gesture of gratitude! It’s said that Emperor Qianlong once poured tea for his minister while traveling in disguise. The minister couldn’t kneel, so he tapped his fingers on the table to symbolize bowing. It has since become a polite gesture at the tea table.

That’s so interesting! It seems tea is more than just a drink—it’s a way of cultural communication.

Exactly! In China, offering tea shows respect and friendship. Teahouses are also important places for conversation and relaxation. A cup of tea carries thousands of years of cultural wisdom.