Zhejiang Province has long been one of China's major tea-producing areas, which are mostly concentrated in the south. The region's deep-rooted, tea-centered culture composes another aspect that distinguishes southern customs from those in the north.

The tea tree, part of the camellia genus, flourishes in warm and humid climates, which explains why it grows in such large quantities in southern China. Chinese tea possesses historical significance, such as being one of the most popular commodities that connected the East and West through the ancient Silk Road thousands of years ago. The tea ceremony serves as a way to entertain guests and a therapeutic means to get rid of anxiety and reach spiritual peace. However, people in the north see it differently.

Those who were born and raised in the north might be amazed to see the dizzying procedure of tea braising with all sorts of tools before it is finally poured into a small teacup. To them, the only point of drinking tea is to quench thirst. There is no such thing as a tea funnel, tea needle, tea paddle, tea knife, tea aroma smelling cup or cup saucer. So just pour hot water into a fist-size cup with any amount of tea leaves, and drink when it cools down. Simple and straightforward. 

In the south, different teas require different cooking methods, or even tea sets made of different materials. What matters the most is not to meeting your physical need for water, but appreciating the taste or smell of the tea during the process, allowing you to sink in deep thought and better understand the law of nature through the important intermediary – tea. In the north, on the other hand, the complicated process is likely to make one look pretentiously sentimental. 

Cultural integration has blurred the lines between the two, as more people are becoming fans of the southern-style tea ceremony and appreciating the harmonious beauty of tea gardens in southern China. 

From the wetlands along the east coast to the dense rain-forests hidden in the southwest, China boasts an array of plant species. In this series, we will go on a tour to learn about some of the most representative flora in different provinces and see how they live in harmony with the local geography and climate.

(Cover photo via VCG)

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