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Wherever Chinese go，the custom of drinking tea follows. Tea was first discovered by the Chinese. Tea is an indispensable part of the life of a Chinese. A Chinese saying identifies the seven basic daily necessities oil，salt, soy sauce，vinegar, and tea. The custom of drinking tea as fuelrice has been ingrained in the Chinese for over a thousand years. In Tang Dynasty，a man named Lu Yu created the first compendium in the world on tea，Book of Tea .This work helped to popularize the art of tea drinking all across China.
无论中国人走到哪里，都不会改掉喝茶的习惯。茶最先由中国人发现，它是中国人生活中不可或缺的组成部分。有一句中国谚语将基本的日常必需品称为柴、米、油、盐、酱、醋、茶。一千多年以来，饮茶的习俗已经在中国人心中根深蒂固。唐朝时，一个名叫陆羽的人写了世界上第一部关于茶的著作—《茶经》，这部书有助于在中国推广饮茶艺术。
Tea is made from the young，tender leaves of the tea tree. The differences among the many kinds of tea available are based mainly on the roasting and fermentation of the tea leaves. Through fermentation，the originally deep green leaves become reddish-brown in color. The longer the fermentation，the darker the color. Depending on the length of the roasting and degree of fermentation，the fragrance can range from floral to fruity to many.
茶是用茶树的幼嫩叶子做成的。现有的许多茶叶种类之间的区别主要在于对茶叶的烘烤和发酵的方法。通过发酵，原先深绿色的叶子颜色就变成红褐色。发酵的时间越长，颜色就越暗。根据烘烤时向和发酵的程度，香味也会有花香、果香以及麦香之分。
Tea is China's national drink. It contains vitamins，chlorophyll，essential oils, and fluoride. It is a diuretic capable of improving the eyesight and increasing alertness，so Chinese believe that frequent tea drinkers enjoy a longer life span. Its medical properties and benefits to the human body have actually been scientiflcal1y proven，and tea has come to be generally recognized as a natural health food.
茶是中国的民族饮品。茶叶中含有维生素、叶绿素、精油以及氟化物。它具有利尿、明目、提神的功用，因此中国人认为经常喝茶的人能够长寿。茶叶的药用功能及其对人体的好处实际上已经得到了科学的证明，同时茶叶已经被公认为天然的健康食品。
Tea drinking customs
饮茶的习俗
There are several special circumstances in which tea is prepared and consumed.To show respect; In Chinese society，the younger generation always shows its respect to the older generation by offering a cup of tea. Inviting and paying for their elders to go to restaurants for tea is a traditional activity on holidays. In the past,people of lower rank served tea to higher ranking people. Today, as Chinese society becomes more liberal，sometimes at home parents may pour a cup of tea for their children，or a boss may even pour tea for subordinates at restaurants. The lower ranking person should not expect the higher rank person to serve him or her tea on formal occasions，however.
在许多特殊场合上要进行泡茶和饮茶，作为一种礼貌的表示，在中国社会中，晚辈经常通过敬茶来表示对长辈的尊敬。在节假日里，邀请长辈到餐馆喝茶并为其埋单则是传统的活动。过去，级别较低的人要向级别较高的人上茶。如今由于中国社会变得更加自由，因此有时父母在家中可能会为子女倒茶，甚至老板在饭店里也可能为下属倒茶。但是在正式的场合中，级别较低的人不应指望级别较高的人为自己倒茶。
For a family gathering:When sons and daughters leave home to work and get married，they may seldom visit their parents. As a result, parents may seldom meet their grandchildren. Going to restaurants and drinking tea，therefore, becomes an important activity for fami份gatherings. Every Sunday, Chinese restaurants are crowded，especially when people celebrate festivals. This phenomenon reflects Chinese family values.
用于家庭团聚:当子女离家工作或结婚之后，他们可能很少见到自己的父母，父母也可能很少见到自己的孙子孙女。因此，去餐馆喝茶便成为家庭团聚的一种重要活动。中国的餐馆在每个周日都十分拥挤，尤其是当人们庆祝节日的时候。这种现象反映出中国人重视家庭的价值观。
To apologize:In Chinese culture，people make serious apologies to others by pouring tea on them. That is a sign of regret and submission.
表示歉意：在中国文化中，人们常通过为别人倒茶来表示郑重的歉意。这是道歉和顺从的一种表示。
To express thanks to your elders on one's wedding day:At the traditional Chinese marriage ceremony，both the bride and groom kneel in front of their parents and serve them tea. That is a way to express their gratitude. In front of their parents，it is a practice for the married couple to say，“Thanks for bringing us up.Now we are getting married. We owe it all to you”The parents will usually drink a small portion of the tea and then give them a red envelope, which symbolizes good luck.
在成亲之日表示对长辈的谢意:在传统的中国婚礼仪式中，新娘和新郎都要跪在自己的父母面前为他们敬茶。在自己的父母面前，一对新人通常说:“感谢你们的养育之恩。现在我们已经成亲了，这全都要感谢你们啊。”父母则通常要饮一小口茶，然后再给这对新人红包，这象征着好运。
Expressing gratitude for tea
对上茶表示感谢
After a person's cup is filled，that person may knock their bent index and middle fingers (or some similar variety of finger tapping) on the table to express gratitude to the person who served the tea. Although this custom is common in southern Chinese culture such as the Cantonese, it is generally not recognised nor praciced in other parfis of China.
当别人给你的杯子倒了茶之后，你可以将食指和中指弯曲敲一敲桌子，以表示对七茶人的谢意。虽然这个习俗在诸如中国南方的广东等地区十分普遍，但是中国的其他地区通常并不承认或流传这种习俗。
This custom is said to have originated in the Qing Dynasty when Emperor Qianlong would travel in disguise through the empire. Servants were told not to reveal their master's identity. One day in a restaurant， the emperor, after pouring himself a cup of tea，filled a servant's cup as well. To that servant it was a huge honour to have the emperor pour him a cup of tea. Out of reflex he wanted to kneel and express his thanks. He could not kneel and kowtow to the emperor since that would reveal the emperor's identity so he bent his fingers to knock on the table to express his gratitude and respect to the emperor.
这个习俗据说起源于清朝。当时乾隆皇帝要在全国微服出访，他告诉自己的仆人不得透露自己的身份。乾隆皇帝有一天在餐馆里给自己倒了一杯茶之后，又给仆人倒了一杯茶。对于这位仆人来说，皇帝为他倒茶是极大的荣幸。他条件反射地要跪下来表示感谢。由于这会暴露皇帝的身份，因此他不能跪下来向皇帝叩头，于是他弯起手指在桌上敲了几个，以表示自己对皇帝的谢意和敬意。
Tea Wares
茶具
Though not as strict as the tea ceremony in Japan，certain rules govern the Chinese understanding of tea. Take tea wares as an example.Green tea goes with white porcelain or celadon without a cover; scented tea with celadon or blue and white porcelain with a cover; black tea goes well with purple clay ware with white inside glaze，or with white porcelain or warm colored wares or coffee wares; and Oolong tea is also excellent in purple clay ware. In a word，the harmonious combination of function，material，and color of tea ware is essential to brewing excellent tea.
虽然不像日本的茶道仪式那么严格，但还是有些规定主宰着中国人对茶的理解。以茶具为例，绿茶要放在没有盖子的白瓷或青瓷中泡;花茶则要用带盖子的青瓷或蓝白色瓷器中泡;红茶则以里面为白釉的紫砂茶具泡制为宜，或是采用白瓷、暖色调的茶具，或是泡咖啡的器皿;乌龙茶也适合用紫砂茶具泡制。简而言之，茶具的功能、材料以及颜色的和谐统一对于泡出好茶来至关重要。
Tea wares consist of ovens，teapots，cups，tea bowls, and trays and so on.Nowadays with the development of tea procedure，we can make。cup of tea wit with a single porcelain cup. In the following paragraphs，we will focus on the most essential tea ware-tea cups and teapots.
茶具分为茶炉、茶壶、茶杯、茶碗以及茶盘。如今随着泡茶过程的发展，我们可以只用一个瓷碗来泡茶。在下面的章节中，我们将关注最重要的茶具—茶碗和壶。
The custom of drinking tea propelled the development of the porcelain industry. Tang scholars preferred green porcelain from Shaoxing，Zhejiang Province.This kind of green porcelain was like crystal or jade with elegant design and exquisite decoration. Since the true color of tea was set off beautifully in this dainty cup(ou in Chinese )，it was number one in Lu Yu's Book of Tea .As to function，the size and design of the cup best suited to the tea drinking habit of that time allowed for cooking tea powder with green onion，ginger, dates，tangerine peels and mint, Then drinking the whole soup.
饮茶的习俗推动了瓷器业发展。唐朝的士大夫喜欢浙江省绍兴的青瓷。这种青瓷宛如带有精致图案和精美装饰的水晶或翡翠一般。由于茶的本色在这种玲珑的杯子(贩)中得到映衬，因此它在陆羽《茶经》中排名第一。杯子的功能、大小以及设计都适合当时饮茶的习惯，并且能够将茶叶粉末与绿色的洋葱、姜、枣、陈皮以及薄荷一起熬制，然后饮用所有的汤汁。
The preference for green porcelain or white porcelain was suddenly changed to black glazed teacups in the Song Dynasty. Scholars emphasized the white foam that formed when boiled water was added to the teacup. The most desirable foam was white，best presented in black tea ware. Black glazed tea ware from Fujian was dominant, while purple clay tea wares emerged in Yixing，Jiangsu.
到了宋代，人们对青瓷或白瓷的偏爱突然转到了黑釉茶杯上。士大夫们注重把开水加入茶杯中要形成白色的泡沫。最理想的泡沫颜色是白色，而且最好用黑色的茶具来盛放。产自福建的黑釉茶具则成了主流，而紫砂茶具在江苏宜兴出现了。
In the beginning of the Ming Dynasty，tea was made by pouring boiled water onto loose tea leaves. The tea liquor turned yellowish white，so snow-white teacups replaced the black-glazed tea ware of the Song Dynasty. In the middle of the Ming，with the advent of purple clay tea ware，focus was not limited to the color contrast of tea liquor and tea ware，but switched to the fragrance and taste of tea. The production of various teapots came to its pinnacle at the time.
到了明朝初年，茶是用沸水倒进散茶叶中泡成的。茶的汁水变成黄白色，因此雪白的茶杯便取代了宋代的黑釉茶具。在明朝中期，随着紫砂茶具的出现，人们的注意力就不局限于茶水和茶具之间的颜色对比了，而是转移到茶的芬芳与口感了。各种茶壶的生产在当时达到了巅峰。
Tea wares made for the royal family in Jingdezhen，Jiangxi，shone brilliantly among numerous tea wares. New designs of teapots and cups increased continually with the development of tea types.
在无数茶具中，江西景德镇进贡给皇室的茶具发出了璀璨的光彩。随着茶的种类的发展，新的茶壶和茶杯的款式也不断增加。
Brewing Chinese tea
泡中国茶
There are many different ways of brewing Chinese tea depending on variables like the formality of the occasion the means of the people preparing it and the kind of tea For example, green teas are more delicate than oolong teas or water as a result. being brewed. black teas and should be brewed cooler.
根据场合的正式程度、人们泡茶的途径以.及所泡茶的种类等要素，有许多种不同的泡中国茶的方式。例如，绿茶要比乌龙茶或红茶更娇嫩，因此不要用开水来泡。
Chaou brewing
茶顾
The chaou is a three piece teaware consisting of a lid，cup/ bowl，and a saucer，which can be used on its own or with tasting cups on the side. Chaou brewing is usually employed in tea tasting situations，such as when buying tea，where neutrality in taste and ease of access to brewing leaves for viewing and sniffing is important. This method of serving is often used in informal situations，though it can also be used in slightly more formal occasions. Chaou brewing can be used for all forms of teas though lightly oxidized teas benefit most from this brewing method.
茶贩是一套三件的茶具，由盖子、杯子/碗以及茶碟组成，既可以单独使用，也可以使用旁边的品茶杯。通常在品茶的时候使用茶C}}L泡茶，例如购买茶叶之时，选择口味适中、泡出的茶叶易于观察和闻，这是十分重要的。这种上茶的方法经常用于非正式的场合，但它也可以用于比较正式的场合。各种类型的茶都可以用茶匝泡茶，但是这种泡茶方式最有利于泡略受氧化的茶叶。
1. Boil water，or heat to specified temperature for tea，which is 800C for Oolong tea.
1. 将水烧开或是煮到特定的温度来泡茶，乌龙茶要煮到80度;
2. Heat chaou with boiling water.
2. 用开水加热茶贩;
3. Add leaves to line bottom of chaou.
3. 将茶叶加人到茶的底线;
4. Rinse tea leaves and drain.
4. 将茶叶漂净并把水倒干;
5. Slip water along the side while pouring into cup to 2/3 full
5. 将水倒入杯中至三分之二深处并同时用水把边上测一下;
6. Wait for 30 seconds，pour the tea.
6. 等待30秒后倒茶;
7. Serve.
7. 上茶。
Teapot brewing
茶壶泡茶
This is a tradition of the Minnan people and Chaozhou or Chaoshan people have made this Kungfu cha famous. Kungfu cha teapot brewing uses small Yixing purple clay teapot to“round out" the taste of the tea being brewed. Yixing teapot brewing sides towards the formal，and is used for private enjoyment of the tea as well as for welcoming guests. The following steps are one popular way to brew tea in a form widely accepted to be a kind of art. This procedure is mostly applicable to Oolong teas only.
这是闽南人的传统，而潮州或潮汕人则让这种功夫茶名声大噪。泡功夫茶使用的是宜兴紫砂茶壶来使泡出来的茶味道更加“圆润”。用宜兴茶壶泡茶比较正式，而且也可以用于私人品茶和迎客。下面就是常用的泡茶方法，这种泡茶形式被公认为是一门艺术。这一过程大多数情况下只适用于乌龙茶。
1. Boil water.
1. 将水烧开;
2. Rinse the teapot with hot water.
2. 用热水将茶壶洗净;
3. Fill the teapot with tea leaves up to one third of the height of the pot.
3. 将茶叶加人茶壶中并一直满到茶壶的三分之一高度;
4. Rinse the tea leaves by filling the pot with hot water up to half full and draining the water immediately leaving only tea leaves behind.(This step, and all sub- sequent steps involving pouring water, should be performed in a large bowl to catch any overflow.
4. 用热水倒进茶壶中一半高的位置，然后立刻将水倒掉并只留下茶叶在里面(这个步骤和下面的所有步骤都需要在大碗中倒水，以防止有水溅出。
5. Pour more hot water into the teapot and pour water over the teapot in thelarge bowl. Bubbles should not be permitted to be formed in the teapot. The infusion should not be steeped for too long:30 seconds is an appropriate maximum.
5. 将更多的热水倒进茶壶并将水从茶壶中倒人一个大碗，茶壶中不允许出现泡沫。泡茶的时间不能太长，合适的时间最多为30秒;
6. Pour the first infusion into small serving cups within a minute by continuously moving the teapot around same flavor and colour. over the cups. Each cup of tea is expected to have the same flavor and colour.
6. 通过不断移动茶壶给各个杯子倒茶，在一分钟之内将第一遍冲的茶倒进上茶的小杯子中。每一杯茶都要有同样的香味和色泽;
7. Pour excess tea from the first infusion，and all tea from further infusions,into a second teapot after steeping. It is possible to draw five or six good infusions from a single pot of tea，but subsequent infusions must be extended in duration to extract maximum flavour:the second infusion extended by approximately ten seconds to 40 seconds，the third extended to 45.
7. 在浸泡之后，将第一遍冲的多余的茶和之后所冲的茶都倒进第二个茶壶中。一壶茶可以冲五六遍，但是之后所泡的茶时间必须延长，以便最大限度地泡出香味。第二遍泡茶时间大约要延长10秒，这样就要泡40秒，而第三遍则要泡45秒。
This form of the art of brewing and drinking tea is deeply appreciated by many people，including non-Chinese. Many people are enthusiastic about the art;they enjoy not only the taste of Chinese tea，but also the process of brewing it. The tea culture involved is attractive besides the relaxation it generates，allowing them to purportedly forget all the trouble in their life during the process of brewing，serving and drinking tea. Some people enjoy serving others with a cup of tea not just because they want to share their excellent tea but also their peace of mind with others.
这种泡茶和饮茶的艺术形式深受人们的欣赏，这其中还包括外国人。许多人对这门艺术充满热情;他们不仅喜欢品尝中国茶，而且还喜欢泡茶的过程。此外，其中的茶文化还十分吸引人，因为据说它能够让人在泡茶、上茶、饮茶的过程中忘却生活中的一切烦恼，从而使人轻松。有些人喜欢给别人上一杯茶，这不仅是因为他们希望分享美茶，而且还想和别人分享自己的平和心态。
