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Round the World Travel Guide

Photo Essay: Tea Tasting in China

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As a fan of green and white tea before my trip around the world, I was excited to reach China where tea drinking is the norm.  I spent a lot of time tea tasting in China (mostly black and green), and people watching in the parks.

Large thermuses of hot water are given to customers who order tea in the People's Park of Chengdu, China.
Large thermuses of hot water are given to customers who order tea in the People's Park of Chengdu, China.
Snow on Green Lake Jasmine tea
Snow on Green Lake Jasmine tea
All of the accutrements are on display for a typical Chinese tea tasting ritual.
All of the accutrements are on display for a typical Chinese tea tasting ritual.
The more expensive teas are sold in discs or blocks.
The more expensive teas are sold in discs or blocks.
Adam, from England, gave me his copy of The Beach before we went our separate ways in China. The photo was taken while I was reading and enjoying a glass of hot, herbal tea in a Chengdu park.
Adam, from England, gave me his copy of The Beach before we went our separate ways in China. The photo was taken while I was reading and enjoying a glass of hot, herbal tea in a Chengdu park.
A pitcher of thick, salty Tibetan butter tea was way more than I could handle.
A pitcher of thick, salty Tibetan butter tea was way more than I could handle.
When you go to a tea shop in China for a tasting, they'll serve you as many refills of the little cups as you can handle.
When you go to a tea shop in China for a tasting, they'll serve you as many refills of the little cups as you can handle.
Loose green tea for sale at a shop in Chengdu, China.
Loose green tea for sale at a shop in Chengdu, China.

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  2. I want to enjoy some tea tasting and a tea ceremony while in Japan this December. I think the rest of the world has such a great appreciation for tea compared to the US…and maybe Canada not sure if they fancy tea.

  3. Really nice essay! I’m a tea fanatic. I especially liked seeing real pen and paper for your notes sitting there. Sometimes I get the impression that people don’t know how to use pen and paper anymore…and they go really nicely with a cup of tea. Both things help us to slow down and enjoy.

  6. Good eye Marie! I have to admit that since I began traveling with a Blackberry, I haven’t been writing in a journal when I go out to eat alone. Usually my notebooks were the way I preferred to track expenses and personal thoughts (that were often way too boring to make for good blog fodder).

  9. Great post, amazing pictures. I love tea and China! Well it is the home of tea and for a Brit that is like mecca!