Celebrate Chinese New Year with a Fabulous Chinese Tea
Chinese New Year 2022 starts on Tuesday 1st February, and this year will celebrate the Year of the Tiger, the third of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. Also known as the Lunar New Year, Chinese New Year festivities will take place over two weeks, and involve colourful displays and celebrations to welcome in the New Year, culminating with the Lantern Festival on 15th February.
China is the true birthplace of tea, where it was discovered thousands of years ago, being initially consumed for medicinal use and for its health benefits. Today, tea is grown across numerous regions and provinces of China, from its first beginnings in Yunnan, the country’s most southwestern province. Over such a wide area, Chinese terroirs have various weather and growing conditions, meaning Chinese tea leaves possess unique characteristics dependent on where they’ve been cultivated, and the tea produced often bears the name of its particular region.
Why not enter into the spirit of Chinese New Year by drinking one of the wonderful Chinese teas from the Tea-Direct range? From earthy and woody Pu Erh teas and smoky Lapsang Sounchongs, to delicate and delicious Oolong and Jasmine teas, Chinese speciality teas provide something for every tea taste. Below are a few suggestions of Chinese teas to try, but you can also discover a fine selection of them here.
An absolute favourite with many tea lovers, Lapsang Souchong tea is sourced from the beautiful Wuyi Mountain region of China’s Fujian Province. Its distinct smoky flavour and aroma is created during the leaf drying process, when they are dried over pine wood fires. Lapsang Souchong can be served on its own, with lemon, or milk and sugar to taste.
Rose Pouching tea is a South China black tea that is deliciously light and fragrant, yielding subtle melon aromas and wonderful floral notes when infused. A most refreshing tea to enjoy throughout the day.
Keemun tea is a China black tea sourced from the Qimen County of Huangshan City, being first produced in the late nineteenth century. This popular tea reveals fruity and slightly malty flavours and a floral aroma. A light and refreshing beverage that is best served without milk or sugar to appreciate its subtle characteristics.
Subtly sweet and wonderfully fragrant, Jasmine tea is made with semi-green tea that has been blended with aromatic jasmine flowers that have been picked on late summer afternoons when their buds are closed, then stored until the evening, when they open to reveal delicate, complex flavours and aromas; a truly delightful tea.
Happy Chinese New Year!