Experiencing a Traditional Spring Chinese Tea Ceremony at CIM

Chinese tea ceremonies are elegant experiences, rich with culture and history. Every detail, from tea leaf type to teapot style, are carefully considered. In a Chinese tea ceremony, taste and aroma are the most important factors. This is different from what you may have seen with a Japanese tea ceremony, where the tea preparation takes center stage. 

To celebrate the unique tradition of the Chinese tea ceremony, the Confucius Institute Maastricht hosted a tea ceremony workshop in April 2014 at the International Butler Academy in Simpelveld, the Netherlands. CIM’s director Xinxin Wang served as the host, guiding an audience of eager participants with her experience and passion for tea.

The Chinese tea ceremony began with a general introduction to green tea. People typically enjoy green tea in the spring, when the tea leaves are plucked and harvested. This is when green tea is the freshest – not the tea bag you might recognize from the grocery store, but rather carefully rolled and preserved leaves. Drinking green tea while it’s fresh produces the best flavor, as it still contains some water. Fun fact: this water is why you shouldn’t store green tea in a dark kitchen cabinet like black or oolong tea. Keeping it in the freezer preserves its natural water content! 

The tea ceremony featured three unique teas from some of China’s highest mountains: 黄金叶茶 (Huángjīn yè chá), 毛峰 (huángshān máofēng) en 碧螺春 (Bì luó chūn). While these teas are all part of the green tea family, they each have a distinct taste, aroma, and appearance.

After exploring green tea’s intricacies, host Xinxin provided a brief overview of November 2023’s tea ceremony, comparing the different types of tea and how they are served. For example, this workshop showcased a new way of preparing tea. Green tea is not poured from a high point like other tea types. Instead, pouring from the edge of the cup allows the tea leaves to gently rise with a slow awakening. 

Attendees also observed how the taste of green tea changes depending on other pouring factors. Water temperature, for example, plays a crucial role in determining tea taste. Water that is too hot can burn the leaves, creating a bitter taste. On the other hand, cold water prevents the tea from reaching its full flavor. The ideal temperature is 65 – 80 degrees Celsius.

Full of knowledge and tea, our guests were gifted with some more delicious green tea to enjoy at home. The workshop not only provided a unique cultural experience but also imparted inspiration for preparing tea in their own kitchens.

Curious about the vibrant world of Chinese tea? Or are you interested in attending a Chinese tea ceremony yourself? Keep an eye on our social media or sign up for our newsletter below for future event announcements!