Tea...! 

Tea houses, tea shops, tea types, green tea, black tea, jasmine tea, herbal tea, tea pillows, expensive tea sets with china cups, the list is endless and the drink is still regarded as the number one beverage of China. So mush so, that many restaurants usually pour tea for free accompanying a meal.

On visiting an office you will be offered either green tea or hot water. The latter they readily claim is great for the digestive system. If you ask for cold water, you’ll get a look of madness as this is not seen as healthy.

Much of what Chinese people do is governed by health and fitness regimes and this is a proud heritage that shows little sign of weakening. Red (or sometimes, black) tea is mostly reserved for winter, whereas green tea, the more famous of the two, is often drunk during the hot summer months for it’s cooling qualities.

There are so many types of tea that it’d be quite impractical to list them here – some, like buds, open up when exposed to hot water, others, stand vertically at the bottom and top of your glass, many have health qualities good for rheumatism or your liver… basically, the list goes on and on. Indulge!

They also make great gifts for people back home. Why not also get a ceramic tea set as a gift?