China

In China, the most popular kinds of tea are green tea, jasmin tea and oolong tea. Green tea is produced throughout the country and is also exported. China's best-known variety of green tea is long jing tea, which is usually offered to welcome state guests visiting China. My personal favorite is bi luo chun, a kind of green tea which is grown near Shanghai in Jiangsu Province. Bi luo chun tea leaves are twisted like spiral shells and have small, fine white hairs on the surface. There is a special word in China referring to the tea taken before well-cultured individuals begin a discussion. Tea is more than just a culture on its own. It is considered a necessity for composing a poem, discussing art or exchanging political views. We could say tea touches and supports all aspects of Chinese culture. And in addition to the taste and color of tea, Chinese people place great importance on the fragrance of tea.