Chaozhou

A gentle breeze sweeps over the central-western part of Raoping County in Chaozhou City, where the vast sea of tea plants in Fubin Town stretches as far as the eye can see, undulating along the mountainside, and the tea fields are filled with a fresh aroma. Following winding mountain roads, the verdant tea trees gradually merge with the blue sky and white clouds, painting a beautiful summer landscape. Recently, relevant leaders of the Chaozhou Municipal People's Congress Standing Committee led a group of deputies to the people's congress and representatives from related departments to conduct the "Green and Beautiful Chaozhou - Deputies in Action" themed activity in Fubin Town, Raoping County, and Fenghuang Town, Guilu Town in Chao'an District. The focus was on a special investigation into the handling of key proposals concerning "Cultivating Tax Sources in the Tea Industry to Promote Fiscal Revenue Growth." During the event, the deputies were constantly on the move, gaining a comprehensive understanding of tea production and sales, tea tax revenue, quality control, brand promotion, and tea plant protection through site visits, listening to reports, and holding symposiums. They actively collected public opinions and fully leveraged their roles as people's congress deputies to empower…

 Using a gaiwan differs between men and women. Choosing a tea gaiwan varies from person to person. How to brew a good cup of tea using a gaiwan depends on the actual situation. The typical capacity of a gaiwan ranges from 100ml to 300ml. Different people will choose according to their own needs. ... Gaiwans preferred by women ▲Women have smaller hands, so they need smaller tea wares. Women have smaller hands, so they need smaller tea wares. The size of a gaiwan should generally not exceed 150ml. Thus, the most suitable size of a gaiwan is between 100ml and 150ml. It can be even smaller, such as 80ml, which is also a common specification for gaiwans. A gaiwan of 150ml is usually about 9cm in diameter at the rim and 8cm in height. Personally, I think a size of 120ml is the most suitable for women. This size is moderate; if the material is thin porcelain, holding it doesn't feel heavy or scalding, making it the best choice. Gaiwans preferred by men ▲Men tend to drink more tea and more frequently, so they require larger gaiwans. Men tend to drink more tea and do so more frequently, thus requiring…

Every time I passed by the Merlion Park and looked up at the world-famous statue of the Merlion spouting water, something always felt amiss. One day, while idly watching the flow of passersby at an Orchard Road MRT station entrance, it struck me like a bolt of lightning: the Merlion statue has a stern expression without a hint of a smile. Just like the endless stream of pedestrians before my eyes, colorful as they were, their expressions were uniform: hurried, with serious faces. The constant spray of water, day and night, seemed to represent the relentless pressure that Singaporeans carry throughout their lives, unceasing and inexhaustible. I knew before arriving in Singapore that Singaporeans weren't particularly happy. On the world map, this tiny country is sandwiched between two large nations, Malaysia and Indonesia, with whom relations aren't entirely friendly. Lacking internal resources and facing external pressures, the nation struggles to find room to maneuver, constantly pushing itself to strive for excellence and work hard. During my stay in Singapore, I felt that the words "leisure" and "ease" were luxuries that were hard to come by. Even primary school students were competing over academic achievements, university professors were working tirelessly under…

Using a gaiwan differs between men and women. How to brew a good cup of tea with a gaiwan depends on individual circumstances. The normal capacity of a gaiwan typically ranges from 100ml to 300ml. Different people will choose according to their needs. Gaiwans preferred by women ▲Women have smaller hands, so they need more compact teaware. Women have smaller hands, so they need more compact teaware. The size of the gaiwan generally should not exceed 150ml. Therefore, the most suitable size for a gaiwan is between 100-150ml. It can be even smaller, like 80ml, as this size also exists. A 150ml gaiwan is usually about 9cm in diameter at the rim and 8cm tall. So, in my opinion, a size of 120ml would be most suitable for women. This size is moderate; if the material is thin porcelain, it won't feel heavy or hot in the hand, making it the best choice. Gaiwans preferred by men ▲Men tend to drink larger quantities of tea more frequently, so they need a larger gaiwan. Men tend to drink larger quantities of tea more frequently, so they need a larger gaiwan. The largest gaiwan is around 300cc. Anything larger than that would…

Green tea can be brewed both cold and hot. Cold brewing is more suitable for hot weather, offering a refreshing taste that cools and quenches thirst. Hot brewing is part of many people's daily routine. Whether to choose hot or cold brewing ultimately depends on personal preference. Cold Brew or Hot Brew for Green Tea? While boiling water can quickly extract many nutrients from the tea leaves, the temperature of the hot water and the duration of boiling can affect the taste and color of the tea, which is why some people find their tea bitter. Cold brewing solves this issue by not only preserving the vitamins in the tea but also ensuring that other nutrients such as polyphenols and catechins maintain their antioxidant activity, similar to that achieved through boiling water. Overall, in certain aspects, cold-brewed tea is more convenient, releases less caffeine, and can help lower blood sugar levels. Convenient and Quick: You can use purified water, mineral water, or cold boiled water. The brewing time can range from half an hour to six hours. Reduce "Tea Drunkenness": Tea contains caffeine, which has stimulating effects. Some people may experience insomnia after drinking tea. Cold brewing reduces the release…

Often when watching others brew tea, you'll see them first scald the pot with hot water before adding the tea leaves. There's a term for this action in the trade known as “warming the pot.” Scalding the tea utensils with boiling water not only ensures hygiene but also serves a practical purpose. Warming the cups and pots is a habitual action that most people perform before brewing tea – even after cleaning the utensils, they are rinsed again with boiling water. Many believe that this ceremonial gesture disinfects the tea ware, making it more hygienic to drink from, and raises the temperature of the utensils, which improves the taste of the tea. However, few delve deeper into the underlying reasons. What other significant effects does warming the cups and pots have? I. Public Cleaning, Demonstrating Etiquette If we say that warming the cups and pots is for cleaning the tea ware, it doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. Tea is clean by nature, and thus requires a clean and hygienic environment and utensils. Before the tea ware is placed on the table, it should naturally be cleaned beforehand; why would one need to clean it again? The action of warming the…

Driving for a little over an hour from Quanzhou, Fujian, you arrive at Xiping Town, Anxi County—the birthplace of Tieguanyin. Xiping was once known as Qipeng, named after the mythical great roc said to have rested here. After passing through the town, we entered the winding mountain roads, our car like a fish swimming upstream into a sea of green. Looking out the window, tea fields stretched as far as the eye could see, terraced hills and sprawling plots in various shapes and sizes. Upon entering Nanyan Village, the air was filled with a fresh, invigorating tea fragrance. Taking a deep breath, every nerve and cell relaxed. When we arrived at Taishanlou, the annual Nanyan Tieguanyin Tea King Competition was entering its final round. The villagers held their breath, intently watching the courtyard. In the center stood a large tea table, about four to five meters long, on which ten white porcelain lidded jars were lined up horizontally, each corresponding to a numbered sample from 1 to 10. Staff took samples from the jars, weighing them according to standard procedures before placing them into the jars. Facing each jar, three white porcelain tea cups were arranged in a vertical row,…

Wuyi Rock Tea is unique with its rock aroma, attributed to the "Ultimate Mountains and Rivers." In the tea world, it's often said that "water is the father of tea, and utensils are the mother of tea," highlighting the significant impact of tea utensils on the infusion and drinking experience beyond the tea itself. The correct brewing technique and suitable utensils are crucial in bringing out the "rock aroma." The development of local standards like the "Wuyi Rock Tea Brewing and Tasting Method" and group standards such as the "Wuyi Rock Tea Brewing and Tasting Utensils" further emphasize the importance of harmonizing "tea" with "utensils." Let's explore this together today. Brewing Utensil Selection 01 Selecting appropriate utensils based on the characteristics of rock tea primarily involves choosing a water heater, brewing tools, and tasting cups. 1. Choosing a Water Heater Brewing not only requires good water quality but also the right water heating equipment. Water heaters can be categorized by material into iron, copper, silver, stainless steel, glass, and clay pots, and by heating method into electric, alcohol lamp, and charcoal-based ones. Electric Water Heater From a material perspective, enthusiasts can choose clay, purple clay, or iron pots. Clay and…

Stepping into the 2024 Chaozhou Kung Fu Tea Conference, one is greeted by the fresh aroma of tea. Journalists discovered that while many tea companies and merchants are committed to tradition and quality, they have also embarked on an exploration of making their teas more youthful. Products have become more diverse, packaging more modern, and marketing models more varied, not only retaining older customers but also attracting a growing number of young people to the exhibition, infusing new vitality into the tea industry. Combining Tradition with Modern Trends Exploring More Possibilities in the Tea Industry After tasting Phoenix Dancong tea, Academician Liu Zhonghua of the Chinese Academy of Engineering once gave a classic evaluation: "With Phoenix Dancong, the first cup is love at first sight; the second cup leaves you yearning for more; the third cup binds you forever." At the exhibition, the Congxin Dancong booth featured tea packaged with this phrase as its central theme. Yu Yingfeng, founder of the Congxin Dancong brand, spoke with journalists about the creativity behind the tea packaging. "For the packaging, we used hand-drawn images of the ancient tea trees of Wudong Mountain as the background, presenting elements such as the land, the tea…

Tea enthusiasts enjoy brewing tea to a certain level, making each session a delight in their daily lives. Brewing a good cup of tea requires more than just the right teaware and water quality; the brewing method is equally important. When brewing tea, there are two methods: dry brewing and wet brewing. Do you know what dry brewing and wet brewing mean? Wet Brewing The so-called wet brewing method is the most familiar way of brewing tea in everyday life. Washing the teaware and tea leaves on the tea table, pouring hot water over the teaware, and letting the water directly spill onto the tea table—this is known as wet brewing. The most direct way to determine if the wet brewing method is being used is whether the tea table has a large surface area or if water can be poured directly onto it. A large tea table serves the purpose of allowing the rinse water from cleaning teaware and tea leaves, as well as excess tea water, to be poured directly onto it. As a result, the tea table appears damp, hence the term "wet brewing." The modern wet brewing tea tray originated from Chaozhou Gongfu tea, where hot…

The 2024 Chaozhou Gongfu Tea Conference concluded in Guangzhou on the 19th. Over 60 high-quality tea companies from Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, showcased more than a thousand varieties of Phoenix singleton tea collectively, along with a dazzling array of tea utensils, tea foods, and tea-related cultural and creative products, fully demonstrating the achievements of Chaozhou’s tea industry and presenting a grand feast of gongfu tea to tea enthusiasts. In recent years, Chaozhou has made full use of its resource and brand advantages as the “World Capital of Gongfu Tea Culture” and the “Chinese Oolong Tea Capital,” vigorously promoting tea culture, improving tea technology, expanding the tea industry, and accelerating the standardized, branded, industrialized, and quality-oriented development of Phoenix singleton tea. The city is developing organic teas, green foods, selenium-rich products, and other items that meet market needs through multiple channels, striving to make Chaozhou gongfu tea and Phoenix singleton tea famous throughout China and the world. According to statistics, by the end of 2023, the tea planting area in Chaozhou had reached 276,900 mu (approximately 18,460 hectares), with an annual output of 32,600 tons and an annual value of 8.195 billion yuan. Chaozhou ranks second in tea planting area and first…

In Guangzhou, the Chaozhou region has a long-standing tradition of Kung Fu tea, and the Chaozhou hand-pulled red clay teapot (hereafter referred to as "Chaozhou pot") has become a representative symbol of Chaozhou culture. Although the Chaozhou pot, closely tied to the lives of the people of Chaozhou, is not struggling for survival compared to most intangible cultural heritages, it still faces the challenge of continuous inheritance and breaking through its limitations. "Earthenware Jars" Ascending to the Hall of Elegance Compared to the widely known Yixing purple clay teapots, Chaozhou pots are less famous. In fact, Chaozhou pots are also a type of purple clay teapot. However, there are significant differences in craftsmanship between Chaozhou pots and Yixing purple clay teapots. Unlike the method of manually shaping the body or joining clay pieces used in Yixing purple clay teapots, Chaozhou pots are formed using a hand-pulling technique, which requires a high level of skill from the potter. The potter must complete various shapes by pinching the clay while it rapidly rotates, followed by more than ten complex processes including trimming, attaching the spout, handle, and lid, carving, and firing, all requiring a deep foundation in manual craftsmanship. As an inheritor…