On the Great Tea Road. Some peculiarities of Chinese,Russian and English tea ceremonies

ON THE GREAT TEA ROAD. SOME PECULIARITIES OF CHINESE, RUSSIAN AND ENGLISH TEA CEREMONIES .

The participants: Makhutova Lana, Martynova Valeriya, Syzhendaolima,Tsydypov Artur,Tsyrenova Ariuna – 9 year students of school №9 in Ulan-Ude town.

The Head of the tourist project group – N.V. Shulunova, the English language teacher of school №9

On the Great Tea Road: tea is the linking chain in tea drinking custom and tradition as well as the great difference in culture of tea ceremony of China, Russia and England. Let us examine if there are some common features or quite special varieties in tea party ceremony.

The first notice of tea is referred to 2700 year BC. Tea culture appeared in Japan, Korea, then penetrated into Europe in two ways: from Northern China through Siberia to European Russia and from southern China to England. That is why in Russia there is a North China name "tchy", whereas in England and Europe - South China "tea". The ancient Chinese legend tells about the divine ancestor of all Chinese people Shen Nong, whose name in Chinese means "the Divine Farmer”. It was he who helped people to cure illnesses and for this he roamed the country in search of medical herbs, the effect of which he examined for himself. However, he watched the effect of the eaten herbs or the fruit on the body through its flimsy belly.

It is said that once he tried a new, unfamiliar herb that was poisoned. When he became very ill, he laid under an unfamiliar tree. Suddenly, from the leaves of the bush rolled dewdrop. Swallowing that little drop, the doctor felt a surge of energy and pleasant cheerfulness throughout the body. Since that time, Shen Nong carried with him the leaves of this herbal everywhere, using them as an antidote. And so it happened that he taught the entire Chinese people drink tea as a medicine.

And from 618 till 907 years the Chinese tea ceremony began to develop, and was firstly described as a ritual where a certain order while brewing beverage is observed. The main purpose of this action is the disclosure of taste and aroma of tea, and haste here is inappropriate. Chinese tea ceremony implies calmness and tranquility. A special atmosphere might be achieved thanks to wonderful tea service including elegant glassware of small size and nice soft music. Thanks to all these factors it becomes possible to enjoy world famous and unforgettable fragrant aroma of the tea drink and a long finish.

The essence of the Chinese tea ceremony in my opinion, is very accurately defined by Chinese Buddhist monk Tit NAT Han "Drink your tea slowly and sincerely, as if it is the axis which the Earth goes round".
The Chinese ritual of tea is one of the most mysterious and enigmatic in the world. Perhaps the reason is that the Chinese believe that tea is not just a drink, but the wise plant, which can transmit the energy of life.
To obtain this energy, there are certain conditions that have reduced the rules for the tea ceremony. Special requirements are used to the water. The choice of water, which will brew tea, is strict. It must be from a pure source. It is not necessary to boil it very much. They say that the water is considered to be boiled to the desired state, as soon as you see bubbles.
Traditionally before the ceremony, people must purify themselves, to reach a state of inner harmony and peace. That is why the ceremony should be held in a beautiful room and under the sounds of pleasant music, often fascinating and mystical which promote the immersion of a person in the depths of his soul and help to blend better with nature.

According to the rules the ritual takes place in an atmosphere of kindness and harmony. In the process of tea drinking it is not acceptable to talk loudly, wave hands or make a noise. The focus on inner world helps to feel the true pleasure from the drink and the real happiness. By the way, tea ceremony in China involves from 2 to 6 people. In this case, you can achieve amazing atmosphere, called in the tradition of touching souls.
The interior for the tea ceremony is also special as the whole ceremony. All participants should sit on straw mats laid on the floor. There should be soft pillows of nice warm color in front of each guest. In the middle of the room the table for tea, called Chabane about 10 cm height is set . It is similar to a box made of wood with special holes where the guests pour the rest of the tea, because in China, the excess water is thought to say about abundance. The solemn moment comes, when the guests routed set for the tea ceremony. Kitchenware includes: teapot for brewing, and the pitcher cha Hai, tea box, called cha-ha, and a pair of tea. All utensils for the tea ceremony should be made in the same style in order not to distract guests' attention from the wonderful drink. So the entire tea ceremony means to enjoy the color and taste of tea, high concentration and merging with merging with the energy of tea. Tea should be drunk slowly, focusing on the sensations of giving to the guest the sense of peace, calmness of mind and, freedom of the hustle and bustle of the lives....

So, after the short rest, having gained with new strength, caravans laden with tea, were moving slowly to the new inexperienced lovers, promising relief, new sensations, aromas, bliss and peace. It's Russia with its wide soul that first welcomed the load, the so-called "cybiks", birch bark boxes. By the way, the tea carried in such cybiks by the caravan route through the Mongolian steppe, was valued much higher than the tea, brought by sea, because it kept all its taste and healing properties.

While Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich ruled Russia the Russian Ambassador Ivan Perfiliev was the first who brought Chinese tea to Russia. We know that in 1655, the Royal physician has successfully used the tea to treat stomachache of Alexei Mikhailovich. From this point healing properties of tea were appreciated, and in 1679 the Russian Ambassador Golovin concludes the contract of tea supplement to Russia with the Chinese Emperor. So caravans with valuable dried grass reached out to the Moscow Kremlin by the Kyakhta tract.

In the 19th century so called Russian tea-cafes became very popular with common Russian people. They used to sit at a long table and have a friendly talk or share the news. Since that time the tea party tradition has become an integral, very important part of public life. There haven't been no family celebration, no friendly meeting without tea in Russia for three centuries. At tea table in particular the atmosphere of warm heartiness, fun, peace and joy exists. No wonder in the tea the glory of the drink, warming not only the body but also the soul firmly entrenched in Russia.
Traditional Russian tea ceremony is different from tea ceremony in other countries, particularly in England.
So, first of all, the tea table is covered with a tablecloth: elegant festive for special occasions, and simple – to everyday tea. The first and essential attribute of the Russian tea table a samovar is. It is a symbol of comfort, home warmth, it is a living creature, the real owner of the house. You cannot imagine a traditional Russian tea ceremony without a samovar.
So, the samovar is always put in the center of the table, which emphasizes its special importance. Besides there is a small teapot on the top of the samovar or on the table. They are closer to the place of the hostess, because she needs to serve tea and entertain guests. The hostess rinses the teapot with boiling water, pours the tea leaves (traditionally black tea is used) and pours hot water. Then she covers the kettle with warm cloth to let the hot drink fill in with aroma and tart flavor. Glasses with holders and saucers, sugar bowl also take place on the tea table. The guests needed holder for glass in order not to burn their fingers, because the glasses unlike the cups had no handles. Now the tea glass holder you can enjoy while traveling in trains because it is the most comfortable "camping" object.

You can have tea with sweet cherry, strawberry, apple jam, honey or with a piece of crushed sugar. Jam is usually slathered on bread or eaten with a spoon from the saucer. Nowadays, it is ordinal to add some milk, cream or a slice of lemon, and sometimes a fruit liqueur into the tea.

And at last a few words about tea ceremony in England. I believe that the statement by M. Barberie "Tea is a complicated drink. When tea becomes a ritual, it develops the ability to see the great deal in common things" most clearly expresses the essence of the English ceremony. It is paid much attention to details at English tea party.

The British are known to drink tea three times a day and at a specific time in the morning for breakfast, at 13 o'clock for lunch and in the so called "five-o-clock" (at 17 o'clock). The most favorite tea is five-o-clock-tea.

According to the English tea etiquette, you cannot limit yourself with only one kind of tea from the 8 or 10 varieties of tea. Tea table should be laid in the living room, by the fireplace. It should be covered with white or blue cloth. For the ceremony you will need a tea set, kettle with tea, a jug of boiling water, milk jug with milk or cream, and dessert plates for snacks, knife and fork for each guest, tea spoons, tea strainer & stand for tea strainer, sugar bowl with lump sugar, sugar tongs and wool added to the kettle with tea. Snacks are served on the table immediately before serving tea, but in the presence of guests. Traditionally, afternoon tea is served with bread, salted butter, fresh cucumbers and tomatoes, eggs, toasts, almond biscuits, jams, biscuits, muffins, crumpets, pastries and cakes, and of course the world's most famous snack like sandwich.

Lemon should be cut into wedges, sprinkled with sugar and served on a separate platter. English tea with lemon is called "Russian tea". Lemon should be added to tea with bergamot and Chinese green tea. The English tea should be drunk with milk! While the tea is brewing, 2-3 tablespoons of heated, but not boiled milk should be poured in a well heated cup, and only after that tea should be poured.

It is believed that in this sequence both components are mixed better. According to another version, the British took care of the expensive porcelain and that's why they never poured hot tea into the cups.

By the way, all participants should choose the kind of tea they prefer and after that the procedure of tea brewing starts.

Tea is poured with boiling water for 3-5 minutes, during this time the tea will be able to reveal all its advantages such as: at first essential oil and tannin should release, then caffeine and the tart tea flavor appear.

This tea should be poured immediately into cups and just at once some of boiling water from the jug should be added to the kettle. The British are said to drink only hot tea.

59 million British people are considered to drink 165 million cups of tea every day.

So, tea ceremony, tea party – all these rituals owe their existence to the "Great Tea Road" that linked together historical homeland of tea with the countries in which this drink took its worthy place. Moreover tea ceremony found its real identity with the original rules and strong traditions.

They say that the Russians get pleasure from sincere communication in the tea party. Tea ceremony in China is a unique taste and aroma of tea, English tea ceremony values the very fact of the observance of tradition, setting, cakes.

Whatever the tea traditions of different peoples are, this drink is appreciated for the pleasant taste, delicate fragrance and an unusual, healing properties everywhere.

Начало формы

Конец формы