China is the hometown of tea with a time-honored tea culture. An old saying goes, "Offering tea to guests is a traditional Chinese etiquette." The tea ceremony is far more than the art of brewing tea. It is a lifestyle for self-cultivation, as well as a set of manners that embody mutual respect and harmony between people. To truly appreciate tea, one must understand the related etiquette, so as to fully embrace the elegance of tea drinking.
This guide elaborates on the essence of traditional tea ceremony etiquette, helping you behave gracefully and politely at tea gatherings.
Core Spirit of Tea Ceremony: Harmony, Respect, Purity, Tranquility
All rituals and rules are based on four fundamental principles:
Harmony: Achieve harmony between human and nature, people and each other, as well as people and tea.
Respect: Show reverence to others, which also reflects self-respect.
Purity: Keep the surroundings neat and maintain a peaceful state of mind.
Tranquility: Stay calm and serene, and enjoy the peaceful moment.
Tea Serving Etiquette
Serving tea best reflects the spirit of respect, and every detail matters.
Serve tea with both hands The host shall hold the tea tray or teapot with both hands and present the tea cup to guests steadily. Serving tea with one hand is considered impolite and insincere.
Direction of cup handle Place the cup handle towards the guest's right hand for easy holding.
Never point the spout at people Never aim the teapot spout directly at any guest during pouring, which is regarded as rude. Always turn the spout away from people.
Proper serving order Serve elders, distinguished guests and superiors first, and attend to yourself last. Never drink before guests.
Fill the cup seven-tenths full As a traditional proverb puts it: Full wine shows hospitality, while overfilled tea offends guests. A tea cup should only be filled seven-tenths full. An overfull cup may cause scalds and ruin the leisurely atmosphere of tea tasting.
Tea Tasting Etiquette
There are also rules to follow when receiving and drinking tea.
Correct cup-holding posture Hold the cup handle or rim with your thumb and index finger, and support the cup bottom with your middle finger. Do not grip the cup tightly with both hands or touch the cup opening with fingers. This practice is hygienic and elegant.
Smell and sip gently First inhale the tea aroma, then take small sips. Never drink greedily. Savor the tea slowly to taste its rich layers.
Use tea towel properly Wipe tea stains around your mouth gently with a tea towel, instead of using your hands or sleeves.
Finger tapping salute In modern social occasions, people use the finger tapping salute to express gratitude to the server. Put your index and middle fingers together and tap the table three times lightly.
