Palace Museum Tea Culture Data

Tea CultureKnowledge

From Shennong tasting herbs to Tang Dynasty Tea Classic, from Song Dynasty whisked tea to Ming-Qing Gongfu tea, explore the profound wisdom of Chinese tea culture

"One calls it cha, two calls it jia, three calls it she, four calls it ming, five calls it chuan" — Lu Yu, The Classic of Tea

History of Tea

Chinese tea culture has a long history spanning millennia, with archaeological evidence confirming over six thousand years of cultivated tea trees

荼
tú
槚
jiǎ
The Classic of Tea
蔎
shè
The Classic of Tea
茗
míng
The Classic of Tea
荈
chuǎn
The Classic of Tea
Ancient Times

Tea trees grew wild; ancestors discovered tea leaves were edible

Approximately 6,000 years ago

Beginning of tea tree cultivation

Warring States Period

Practice of brewing and drinking tea established

Jin Dynasty

Origin of the imperial tribute tea system

Tang Dynasty

Tribute tea system formalized; decocting method popularized; Lu Yu wrote The Classic of Tea

Song Dynasty

Whisking method popularized; tea competition culture flourished

Ming Dynasty

Loose leaf steeping became mainstream

Qing Dynasty

Six categories of tea system established

2022

Traditional Chinese tea processing techniques inscribed on UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list

Tea Masters Through Ages

Notable figures in the development of Chinese tea culture

Tang Dynasty

Lu Yu

The Sage of Tea

733-c.804
"Tea as a beverage originated with Shennong"
  • Authored 'The Classic of Tea', the world's first comprehensive treatise on tea
  • Systematically summarized tea production, processing, and appreciation methods
  • Established the theoretical framework for the decocting method

The Classic of Tea

The world's first tea treatise, covering tea origins, production, tools, brewing, drinking, and regions in ten chapters

Northern Song Dynasty

Cai Xiang

Tea Scholar

1012-1067
  • Authored 'Record of Tea', an important Song Dynasty tea treatise
  • Advocated for tea competition culture
  • Promoted Jian ware (black-glazed tea bowls)

Record of Tea

Divided into two parts: upper section on tea, lower section on teaware

Tang Dynasty

Zhang Youxin

Water Connoisseur

  • Authored 'Record of Water for Decocting Tea'
  • Ranked twenty waters from across the land
  • Deepened the theory of water selection

Record of Water for Decocting Tea

Specialized treatise on water tasting, evaluating the quality of famous waters

Northern Song Dynasty

Ouyang Xiu

Literati and Tea Scholar

1007-1072
  • Authored 'Record of Daming Water'
  • Discussed water selection philosophy
  • Promoted literati tea culture development

Record of Daming Water

Discourse on the art of water appreciation

Northern Song Dynasty

Emperor Huizong of Song

The Artist Emperor

1082-1135
  • Authored 'Treatise on Tea in the Daguan Era'
  • Discussed tea with imperial authority
  • Elevated Song Dynasty tea culture to its peak

Treatise on Tea in the Daguan Era

Discusses tea origins, production, and appreciation, representing the highest level of Song Dynasty tea scholarship

Brewing Methods

The historical evolution of Chinese tea brewing methods

"Mountain water is best, river water is moderate, well water is inferior"

— Lu Yu, The Classic of Tea

Pure Source
Water source should be clear
Living Water
Flowing, active water is preferred
Sweet Taste
Pleasant, sweet flavor
Light Quality
Moderate mineral content
🍲
Ancient times to Han Dynasty

Eating Tea

Directly cooking and eating tea leaves

Pick fresh leaves Cook directly Add seasonings and consume
🫖
Tang Dynasty

Decocting Tea

Grinding tea into powder, boiling through three stages

Roast tea: Toast the tea cake Grind tea: Grind into fine powder Sift tea: Sieve for finest powder Boil water: Heat through three boiling stages
🍵
Song Dynasty

Whisking Tea

Placing tea powder in bowl, pouring water while whisking

Grind tea: Grind into extremely fine powder Sift tea: Sieve for the finest particles Warm bowl: Heat the tea bowl Make paste: Mix small amount of water into paste
☕
Ming Dynasty

Boiling Tea

Pure drinking style, boiling loose tea

Take loose tea leaves Boil water Add tea and boil Strain tea liquor
🫖
Ming Dynasty to present

Steeping Tea

Steeping loose tea, appreciating leaves and color

Warm utensils: Heat the teaware Add tea: Place appropriate amount of tea leaves Pour water: Steep with water at suitable temperature Wait: Allow proper steeping time

Health Benefits

Health benefits of tea, blending ancient wisdom with modern science

❤️

Cardiovascular Health

  • Lowers cholesterol
  • Prevents arteriosclerosis
  • Regulates blood pressure
🔥

Metabolic Health

  • Promotes fat metabolism
  • Supports weight management
  • Regulates blood sugar
🧠

Mental State

  • Improves concentration
  • Enhances memory
  • Relieves anxiety
✨

Anti-aging

  • Eliminates free radicals
  • Delays cell aging
  • Promotes skin beauty
🫃

Digestive System

  • Aids digestion
  • Cuts through grease
  • Balances gut microbiome
😁

Oral Health

  • Prevents cavities
  • Freshens breath
  • Protects gums

Intangible Heritage

Intangible cultural heritage of traditional Chinese tea processing techniques and associated customs

2022

Traditional tea processing techniques and associated social practices in China

Marks the highest level of global recognition for Chinese tea culture

15
Province
44
Heritage Items