The Art and Essence of Asian Tea (2/3)

Scented tea Scented tea is processed tea by infusing tea leaves with the scents of flower petals within a closed compound. Basically the formula is x tea + y flowers = yx tea. Thus in Chinese language terminology: Oolong tea + Jasmine flower= Jasmine Oolong tea. Thus, the classification of scented tea is according to the categories of tea and flowers that it originated from. Scented tea is excellent for people who are not used to the strong taste of tea and is excellent accompaniment for meals. They are also drunk often with light meals like dim sum. It is also a habit for many Chinese to add a sugar cube or two to enhance the taste. White tea White tea is slightly fermented. Its taste tends to be described as light with a sweet aftertaste. However, different people have different interpretation of its taste. White tea is only grown in China and nowhere else. It is produced in the province of Fujian. Fujian is the main tea-growing region in China as its climate is suitable for cultivating such tea. The other well-known tea produced in this region is Oolong tea. White tea is complicated in its origins as it is classified according to the degree of maturation of leaves. The types of white tealeaves include white peony, Kung mee. The tea leaves of white tea is unique in its shape. When you open the container you will see many white tea leaves in the shape of eye brows. That is why they are often described as eye brow tea leaves by the Chinese. This applies to most but not all white tea leaves. Compressed tea Compressed tea is found mainly in the south. It is the oldest form of tea made in China. It is still used by some tribes in the southern part of China as a form of medication or Shamen magic. It is made by high compression into shapes resembling bricks. Thus, they can also be known as brick tea. In fact, this is the direct translation of its original Chinese terminology. Compressed tea is classified according to the type of tea that it originated from. For example, if Pu Er tea is compressed then it is called compressed Pu Er tea. Alternatively, it can be known by its generic name Compressed black tea as Pu Er is a form of black tea. Sometimes, Pu Er can be spelled as Puer. Some classify tea leaves according to the nature of compression. Ginseng tea The Chinese have been ginseng tea for their health for thousands of years and they were followed suit by Koreans. Thus, you can often find Korean, Chinese ginsengs in any of the Chinese medicine shops. However, the weather and soil conditions of US and Canada are also suitable for growing ginseng. As a result, there have been great exports of such ginseng to China or overseas Chinese communities as well as Korea. Ginseng has multiple benefits according to Chinese medicine. It could bring body heat down for example. Body heat is effected by hot weather, stress or spicy food. Its’ symptons could be sore throat, rashes etc. There are many other purposes for drinking ginseng tea. The principle ingredients of American ginseng tea are panax quinquefolium, herba lysimachiae and radix glycyrrhizae. Usually half of the contents would be the first item and the latter two items would usually be mixed in almost equal proportions. American ginseng is gown in North America, mostly found in the temperate belts of North America in states such as Wisconsin. American ginseng is also sometimes referred to as quinquefolium. Experts in Chinese medicine recommend that it should be drunk daily or whenever one is feeling unwell. However, it should only be a secondary boost to health and not used as a primary form of cure for any illnesses, particularly serious ones. It should be used for maintaining health and not curing diseases or illnesses. Sometimes, other ingredients such as chrysanthemum or rock sugar is added to the drink to sweeten the drink or to lower the bitterness of the tea. Lasi tea