Chinese tea drinking is on the rise, as are elegant teahouses and teacups carefully crafted from porcelain and pottery. Drinking compressed tea cakes (cakes were made by using a binding agent and pouring into a mould) which are then powdered and frothed (by whisking into boiled water) or tea scented with flowers (such as jasmine, lotus and chrysanthemum) is widespread in China while earlier flavorings(such as ginger orange peel and cloves) fall by the wayside. It is said that the elixir was brewed seven times using the same tea. Zen Buddhism catches on in Japan via China and along come tea-drinking temple rituals among the monks to aid concentration whilst meditating. However, it is worth noting that at this time diplomatic relations between the two countries deteriorated and tea was abandoned by the Japanese court.

During this time, tea drinking evolved into an art form. Tea as part of the Chinese culture was epitomized by the book “Ch’a Ching” or “Tea Classic” written by Lu Yu in 780 A.D. This three volume book covered everything related to tea from the proper techniques to growing plants to brewing tea. There was even a detailed description of a formal tea ceremony utilizing 27 pieces of equipment. Due to the complexity and the great number of accessories needed for the tea ceremony, only the affluent connoisseurs could afford all the equipment and the servants needed to prepare the tea. The connoisseurs included scholars, officials, and members of the royal court who studied the teachings of Confucius. As a result, the culture of tea contained a poetic aura. Tea during this period was sold in a brick form. The leaves were steamed, crushed, fired, and crushed into a brick. Tea was made by breaking a piece from this brick and boiling it in water.

Read the rest of this entry »

 805 A.D
A Buddhist monk returning from China in 805 A.D. brought green tea seeds to Japan. The seeds had been collected from Mt. Tiantai in the Zhejiang Province. Only the affluent could afford the beverage in the beginning. The drinking of tea soon became popular among all of the people. Japan grows green tea and uses the Chinese method of steaming.
Today, tea is second only to water in popularity, world-wide. Green tea has become increasingly popular because of its health benefits.

Read the rest of this entry »