what tea is served at chinese restaurants？
Tea originated in China, where all varieties of tea trees and production methods spread worldwide. In Yunnan Province, you can find the oldest ancient tea forests, with some trees having centuries of history. Tea is a beloved beverage in China, and it is commonly served in various dining establishments, from high-end restaurants to street-side eateries. When you order food, you will often receive tea as a complimentary drink. In Chinese households, it is customary to enjoy tea after meals, as it helps alleviate greasiness.
Typically, tea lovers in China prefer natural teas, meaning those without added flavors or colorings. With a vast array of tea types across the six major categories, different regions may serve different varieties. If you find a tea you particularly enjoy, don’t hesitate to ask the server for more details. Here are some well-known teas from China’s six major tea categories:
Green Tea- Longjing (Dragon Well) - Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province
- Biluochun (Green Snail Spring) - Suzhou, Jiangsu Province
- Huangshan Maofeng (Huangshan Fur Peak) - Huangshan, Anhui Province
- Zhuyeqing (Bamboo Leaf Green) - Emei Mountain, Sichuan Province
- Meishan Green Tea - Meishan, Sichuan Province
- Qimen (Keemun) - Qimen County, Anhui Province
- Lapsang Souchong (Zhengshan Xiaozhong) - Wuyi Mountain, Fujian Province
- Yingde Black Tea - Yingde City, Guangdong Province
- Dianhong (Yunnan Black Tea) - Yunnan Province
- Tieguanyin (Iron Goddess of Mercy) - Anxi County, Fujian Province
- Da Hong Pao (Big Red Robe) - Wuyi Mountain, Fujian Province
- Fenghuang Dancong (Phoenix Single Cluster) - Chaozhou, Guangdong Province
- Wuyi Rock Tea - Wuyi Mountain, Fujian Province
- Baihao Yinzhen (Silver Needle) - Fuding, Fujian Province
- Bai Mudan (White Peony) - Fuding, Fujian Province
- Shoumei (Shou Mei) - Fuding, Fujian Province
- Gongmei (Tribute Eyebrow) - Fujian Province
- Junshan Yinzhen (Junshan Silver Needle) - Junshan, Yueyang, Hunan Province
- Pu'er Tea - Pu'er City, Yunnan Province
- Anhua Black Tea - Anhua County, Hunan Province
- Liubao Tea - Liubao Town, Guangxi Province
Conclusion
In China’s rich and diverse range of tea varieties and flavors, if you encounter a chinese tea you love at a restaurant but aren’t sure of its tea name, feel free to ask the staff; they will provide you with accurate and detailed information. Since China is so vast, the chinese tea served can vary greatly between different regions and restaurants.
SEE MORE
If you have questions about selecting tea:
Learn-more-about-chinese-tea
If you have questions about the benefits of tea:
Health-benefits-of-chinese-tea
If you have questions about brewing tea:
How-to-brew-loose-leaf-tea