What Tea is Used in Chinese Restaurants?
1. Introduction
When you go to a Chinese restaurant, you might notice that they give you tea before your food comes. Have you ever wondered why they do this? Tea is a very important part of Chinese culture. It’s not just a drink to enjoy – it’s a way of saying “Welcome!” and it helps your body feel good after eating. In Chinese restaurants, tea is served for many reasons. It helps with digestion, it’s a nice tradition, and it’s a way to show that they care about you.
In this article, we will talk about the different types of tea you can find in Chinese restaurants. We’ll also explain why they choose these teas and how they help your body. By the end, you’ll know all about the tea served in Chinese restaurants and maybe you’ll even want to try some yourself!
2. Most Common Teas Served in Chinese Restaurants
There are many kinds of tea you can drink in a Chinese restaurant. Let’s look at the most popular ones. Each of these teas tastes different, and they all have a special reason for being served in Chinese restaurants.
Jasmine Tea
Jasmine tea is the most common tea served in Chinese restaurants. It smells very nice and has a light, sweet taste. The tea leaves are mixed with jasmine flowers, so it smells like flowers! This tea is very popular because it’s very refreshing. It helps you feel calm and happy. It also goes well with the food you eat in a Chinese restaurant. It’s often served in both small and big restaurants.
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is a type of tea that has a strong taste. It is not too sweet, but it’s not too bitter either. It has a flavor that is somewhere in the middle. Some people say it tastes a little bit like flowers or like fruit. Oolong tea is often served in southern parts of China and is very common in restaurants that serve dim sum. Dim sum is a type of food where you eat small dishes, like dumplings and buns. Oolong tea helps your body feel better after eating this kind of food.
Pu-erh Tea
Pu-erh tea is a special tea that comes from a place called Yunnan in China. It is made in a special way that makes it taste very earthy, kind of like dirt, but in a good way. Some people love this flavor because it’s strong and different. Pu-erh tea is very good for your stomach, and it helps you digest food after you’ve eaten something heavy or greasy. That’s why it’s often served after big meals.
Green Tea
Green tea is one of the most popular teas in China. It tastes very fresh, light, and a little bit grassy. It’s good for your health and makes you feel awake. Many Chinese restaurants serve green tea because it’s very good for your body. Some fancy Chinese restaurants even serve green tea in small, beautiful cups. It’s also a nice tea to drink if you’ve had something very spicy or rich, like hot chili dishes or stir-fries.
Chrysanthemum Tea
Chrysanthemum tea is made from a flower called chrysanthemum. It is not a regular tea leaf but an herbal tea. It has a sweet taste and is very light. Many people drink it when they feel hot, because it helps cool them down. This tea is very popular in Chinese restaurants, especially when the weather is hot outside. It’s also great with spicy food because it helps your body feel cooler after eating something that makes you sweat.
3. Why These Teas Are Chosen
Now, let’s talk about why Chinese restaurants serve these types of teas. There are many reasons why these teas are chosen, and they help you enjoy your food even more!
- Helps with Digestion: Some of the teas, like Pu-erh and Oolong, are very good for helping your stomach after you’ve eaten. After a big meal with lots of rice, meat, or fried food, your stomach can feel a little heavy. Drinking tea helps your body break down the food so it’s easier to digest. Tea can help your stomach feel better and make you feel good after eating.
- Pairs Well with Food: In Chinese culture, tea is meant to go with food. It’s not just a drink to enjoy by itself – it’s something that helps you enjoy the flavors of the food. For example, if you eat something that is oily or very flavorful, tea can help clear your mouth and make the next bite taste even better. The tea can be sweet, light, or strong, depending on what food you’re eating. Jasmine tea, for example, goes very well with sweet and savory dishes, while Pu-erh helps after heavy meals.
- Refreshing and Cleansing: Tea helps cleanse your mouth after eating, especially if you’ve had something spicy or greasy. It’s like cleaning your mouth between each bite, so you can taste all the different flavors in your meal. It also makes you feel refreshed and ready for more food. This is one of the reasons why tea is so important in Chinese restaurants. It helps keep you feeling good and ready for the next part of your meal.
4. Regional Differences in Tea Service
China is a very big country, and the food and tea can change depending on where you are. Different areas of China like different kinds of tea. For example:
- Northern China vs. Southern China: In Northern China, people like strong teas, like black tea. Black tea has a rich, deep flavor, which helps them stay warm because it gets cold in the north. In Southern China, people like lighter teas, like Green Tea and Oolong Tea. These teas are good when the weather is hot, and they help cool you down.
- Differences in Cantonese, Sichuan, or Hunan Restaurants: Different parts of China have different styles of cooking, and the tea that’s served can be different, too. Cantonese restaurants, for example, serve a lot of dim sum, so they often serve Oolong tea or Jasmine tea. These teas help people feel good after eating small dishes. In Sichuan and Hunan restaurants, where the food is very spicy, people often drink Chrysanthemum tea or Pu-erh tea to cool down and help their stomachs after eating something hot.
5. How Chinese Restaurant Tea is Prepared
Now let’s talk about how Chinese restaurant tea is made. If you’ve ever seen the tea in a restaurant, you might have noticed that it looks a little different from the tea you make at home. Here’s how Chinese restaurant tea is made:
- Loose-leaf Tea vs. Tea Bags: In Chinese restaurants, they usually don’t use tea bags. Instead, they use loose-leaf tea. Loose-leaf tea means that the tea leaves are not packed into a bag. The leaves are bigger and more flavorful when they are loose. The leaves float in the water and make the tea taste really good.
- Traditional Brewing Methods: When they make the tea in a Chinese restaurant, they don’t just put the tea leaves in hot water and leave them there. They usually rinse the leaves first with hot water. This is called “washing the leaves.” This makes the tea taste better and removes any dust that might be on the leaves. After that, they add more hot water to steep the leaves, which makes the tea taste even stronger.
- Re-steeping Practices: Another interesting thing about Chinese tea is that it can be steeped (or made) more than once. Some teas, like Oolong or Pu-erh, can be steeped many times. The more you steep the leaves, the more flavor comes out of them. So, in Chinese restaurants, they may keep adding hot water to the same tea leaves and get a different taste with each cup.
6. Health Benefits of Chinese Restaurant Tea
Chinese tea is not just tasty – it’s also really good for you! Let’s look at some of the health benefits of drinking Chinese restaurant tea.
- Helps with Digestion: Some teas, like Pu-erh and Oolong, help your stomach after you eat. They make your body feel better and help you digest food. So, after a big meal, drinking tea can help you feel lighter and happier.
- Rich in Antioxidants: Tea has something called antioxidants. These are good for your body because they help keep you healthy. Drinking tea can help protect your body from getting sick.
- Low in Calories: Tea is also very low in calories, which is good if you’re trying to be healthy. Unlike sodas or sugary drinks, tea doesn’t have a lot of sugar in it, so it’s a great choice if you want something refreshing but not too sweet.
7. Can You Buy the Same Tea at Home?
If you really like the tea in Chinese restaurants, you might want to buy some to drink at home. The good news is that you can!
- Where to Find Authentic Chinese Restaurant Tea: You can find Chinese teas at Asian markets or online. Many stores sell the same kinds of tea you drink in restaurants. You can look for Jasmine tea, Oolong tea, Pu-erh tea, and others.
- Best Brands to Try: Some brands, like Teavivre or Verdant Tea, sell very good Chinese teas that taste just like the ones you get in restaurants. You can order them online and try them at home.
8. Conclusion
Tea is an important part of Chinese culture and is served in almost every Chinese restaurant. It helps with digestion, tastes great with food, and can even make you feel better after a meal. There are many kinds of tea, like Jasmine tea, Oolong tea, Pu-erh tea, and Green tea. Each tea has its own special flavor and purpose, and it’s fun to try them all. Next time you visit a Chinese restaurant, remember to enjoy your tea – it’s not just a drink, it’s part of the experience!
So, go ahead, explore different kinds of Chinese tea, and maybe even bring some home to enjoy!
