Chinese tea culture

Chinese tea culture
Chinese tea sets
Traditional Chinese	中國茶文化
Simplified Chinese	中国茶文化
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zhōngguó chá wénhuà
Alternative Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	茶藝
Simplified Chinese	茶艺
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Chá yì
Second alternative Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	茶道
Simplified Chinese	茶道
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Chá dào
Third alternative Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	茶禮
Simplified Chinese	茶礼
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Chá lǐ

Chinese tea culture (simplified Chinese: 中国茶文化; traditional Chinese: 中國茶文化; pinyin: zhōngguó chá wénhuà; lit. 'Chinese tea culture') includes all facets of tea (茶 chá) found in Chinese culture throughout history. Physically, it consists of tea cultivation, brewing, serving, consumption, arts, and ceremonial aspects. Tea culture is an integral part of traditional Chinese material culture and spiritual culture. Tea culture emerged in the Tang dynasty, and flourished in the succeeding eras as a major cultural practice and as a major export good.^[1]

Chinese tea culture heavily influenced the cultures in neighboring East Asian countries, such as Japan and Korea, with each country developing a slightly different form of the tea ceremony. Chinese tea culture, especially the material aspects of tea cultivation, processing, and teaware also influenced later adopters of tea, such as India, the United Kingdom, and Russia (even though these tea cultures diverge considerably in preparation and taste).

Tea is still consumed regularly in modern China, both on casual and formal occasions. In addition to being a popular beverage, tea is used as an integral ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine as well as in Chinese cuisine.