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

Black Tea

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

Oolong Tea

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

White Tea

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

Yellow Tea

Junshan Yinzhen (Junshan Silver Needle) - Junshan, Yueyang, Hunan Province

Black Tea (Heicha)

Pu'er Tea - Pu'er City, Yunnan Province

Anhua Black Tea - Anhua County, Hunan Province

Liubao Tea - Liubao Town, Guangxi Province

Common Teas in Chinese Restaurants

Not all restaurants serve high-quality tea. In the eyes of Chinese tea enthusiasts, only average-quality teas are typically found in restaurants, unless it's a very high-end Chinese restaurant, in which case these teas are usually charged separately. Chinese restaurants often use tea bag products, which are made from broken tea leaves and are very low in cost. True Chinese tea lovers would not drink tea bags,they prefer to choose whole leaf teas.

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

Tags:

Recent Post

Where Does Tea Come From? The History of Tea ｜NPTEA

What Type Of tea Is Lipton Tea？Caffeine Levels, Additives, and Health Impacts | NPTEA

Chá vs. Tea: How to Say It in Chinese｜NPTEA

Featured Products