Britons turn to Chinese tea rituals in favour of the traditional ceremony
There are few things more quintessentially British than a good old cup of tea, but it seems that even this can benefit from some foreign influence, with many British people embracing the ancient Chinese tea drinking ceremony.
Alex and Wendy Boyd, the co-owners of Chinese-inspired tea company, Lishi Tea, say people enjoy being introduced to the different way of consuming tea, and the focus on ceremony as much as the drink.
Alex Boyd says: "As people really start to explore luxury Chinese teas, they’re also starting to really explore the culture that comes with it".
The couple fell in love with the Far Eastern drink after honeymooning in China, and being delighted with the elaborate rituals undertaken in tea houses.
The UK Tea Council says the difference between the way we drink tea here and the way it is drunk in China lies mainly in the ceremony. There are different things that must be done, depending on the type of tea being brewed. The pot must be rinsed, the tea leaves only picked up with chopsticks, and the water must be poured correctly.
The intricacy can put people off, as many only have five minutes for a cuppa in the morning, but it's the idea that this is a rare treat that makes it so exciting.
Wendy says: "We do encourage people to at least try the Chinese tea ritual once, especially when trying a new luxury tea from China. It places the focus on the tea and really makes you think about it and what it means to enjoy the flavour of the tea.”
Emily Bancroft