What do you know about Chinese Tea Culture?

Tea has been a huge part of the culture in China for thousands of years. As such, tea has generated its own set of unique and particularly wonderful traditions. We’d like to share some interesting things that we’ve researched about Chinese tea culture with you, so make sure to read on to find out more!

Respect

Respect plays a large part in a number of historical Chinese customs, and this can be seen in many facets of life – from language to tea.

Historically, members of the younger generation were expected to show respect to older generations by offering them a cup of tea – whether that was in their home or in a restaurant. Going out for a cup of tea with an elder member of your family is seen as a holiday tradition that is practiced down to this day. In that vein, newly married couples serve tea to elder members of their now combined families.

Looking back through time, poorer people were typically expected to serve tea to the upper classes as a sign of respect. However, as times are changing, so are many of these ancient traditions.

Gong Fu Cha

Gong Fu is a particularly popular tea ceremony in China. As opposed to quickly downing a large cup of tea, Gong Fu Cha is a ritual that takes time and skill and is beautiful to watch. The amount of tea used, as well as the water temperature are carefully monitored to fully open up the taste of the tea. Small traditional clay teapots and cups also play a part in the taste and temperature of the tea. The ceremony can be done in your own home for personal enjoyment, or to welcome a guest. In many Chinese households, it is served after a meal to aid digestion. From beginning to end, this ancient process of brewing tea creates a calming atmosphere where we can fully enjoy each sip of tea. 

Depending on which region of China the tea is made in, the brewing process, as well as the tools used during the brewing process will be different. As an example, let’s look at Taiwanese style gongfu cha. This method of making tea includes a number of additional instruments, including tweezers and a tea strainer. The tea of choice is typically some form of oolong tea, which is very popular in China. However, depending on the tastes of the person making the tea, a fermented tea may be used, such as pu’erh.

Loose Leaf Tea In China

Tea has long been grown and cultivated in China. Since it grows naturally there and has been exported and enjoyed worldwide for decades.

During the Ming dynasty (1368 – 1644 CE), bricks of tea were replaced by loose leaf tea. While this isn’t a strange thing now, it certainly was at the time! Back then, tea was processed into large bricks or bars, small portions of which were shaved off with a knife, to be steeped in a pot.

The process of making the bricks, however, was quite labour-intensive before the industrial revolution. Therefore, loose leaf tea was encouraged in order to make life a little easier for tea farmers, and that type of tea has been used since. It is now the most common type of tea used in China, with everyone having a favorite, unique, blend or brand.

What is the difference between Wild and Cultivated Ginseng?

Demand for ginseng and its benefits are huge and people worldwide are taking advantage of its natural abilities to help the human body. In fact, they’re going wild, and not just for no reason.

 Wild ginseng is largely popular, especially with the Chinese who appreciate that it more closely resembles its natural potency. Cultivated ginseng is more readily available and is harvested at a much younger age than its wild counterpart.

Below we cover what wild and cultivated ginseng is, and we’ll talk about future development of farming ginseng in a more natural, yet sustainable, way.

Cultivated Ginseng

While not as valuable as wild ginseng, cultivated ginseng is more robust but has been introduced because over-harvesting and even ginseng ‘poaching’ has diminished the availability of the herb in the wild.

When it’s cultivated, it makes it much more readily available. Cultivation of this superior herb also meets the huge ‘global’ ginseng demand although some scientists want the return of more naturally farmed ginseng due to its endangered state. It’s special endangered wild state is because this amazing plant is harvested for its root so each plant is ultimately destroyed after harvesting. Thanks to its popularity over centuries with the Chinese it has succombe to hunters in its natural habitat.

Cultivated ginseng is grown in raised beds, placed in neat rows, and grows under artificial shade usually under polypropylene or a shade cloth. This ‘domesticated ginseng’ is therefore easily grown and is priced at around $25 to 40 a pound in its dried form. This makes it extremely popular and still beneficial in treating and preventing illness. Wild roots can attract around $500 a pound which is why it has been decreased in availability and increased so much in value.

Wild Ginseng

Harvested and grown in its natural habitat, wild ginseng has been over-harvested because the Chinese prize it’s medicinal value but it’s caused their own wild ginseng to be very near to extinction. The Chinese people have strong beliefs that the most potent variety of ginseng is that grown wildly. It is deemed to be more potent because it is slow growing and usually harvested at an older age than commercially cultivated versions of the herb.

It grows under natural shade provided beneath a canopy of trees, and farmed agriculturally following recognised horticultural practices. But it is still victim to rich-seeking poachers. Because of its now scarce availability, scientists are looking at the potential of forest farming ginseng in America where it can be planted from cultivated seed, but then grown using natural practices and methods.

American Ginseng (Panax Quinquefolius)

This is a wild herbaceous perennial ginseng root. Grown in Minnesota where it once was abundant, its species is now a concern in the state and therefore not very common. This special concern means that this genus of the ginseng plant requires monitoring and needs a specific or unique habitat. As a protected endangered species this wild ginseng is covered by a 1972 international treaty in which it was introduced to Appendix II of the treaty in July 1975.. Its future survival is dependent on the farmers that can grow and harvest it and sell it locally. However, the roots cannot be exported until its survival is no longer threatened (this will be determined by the Endangered Species Scientific Authority).

Appalachia’s Wild Ginseng – Studies and Saving It

To reduce the pressure that American ginseng faces, the forest farmers and owners in the Appalachia region is where scientists think there is real potential. 

Iris Gao, biologist at Middle Tennessee State University, has studied medicinal plants and her interest in recent years has focused on American (Panax quinquefolius). She concentrates on ginseng cells and their leaves in her lab, before having them analysed for their chemical content.  To study even more of ginseng’s abilities, she stores human cells so the chemicals emitted from the ginseng plant can be tested for the combat of malignancies in the human body. This research essentially has a larger goal. Restoration of ginseng reserves can be improved and economic opportunities in certain regions can be achieved. Gao believes Appalachia is where the growth of ginseng should return to.

There are obstructions though and, primarily, that may be that the authorities lack the knowledge and resources available to realise the true value of forest farmed rather than unnaturally cultivated ginseng. Trying to face their opponents, Gao and her fellow researchers know and share that forest-farmed alternatives can be just as potent and medicinal as wild ginseng. Also, landowners need to be aware of the overharvesting that the plant has suffered.

Growing ginseng in Appalachia would mean that it is recognized as a wild plant across the region rather than an endangered crop that simply ‘grows’ there. Monitoring the land and deterring hunters whilst protecting the land would need to be put strictly into place. While Gao is concerned about the future of ginseng, there is certainly potential that needs to be investigated as well as studies to be understood and embraced. Being able to ensure that forest farmers are not targeted once forest farming is put into place, deter theft from hunters, and monitor its success is essential.

Summary

Even if it becomes readily available wild ginseng may be beyond the budget of most of us. Cultivated ginseng remains the choice of those looking for natural herbal supplements that are proven to help with physical and psychological illness.

More details relating to the protection of wild flora and fauna mentioned above can be found at the Federal Register.

What Do You Know About The History Of Ginseng?

Long famed in Oriental cultures for its ability to restore and rejuvenate, ginseng’s renown swiftly went worldwide in the mid-1700s. 
Ginseng root, which thousands of people eat on a daily basis to relieves their weariness, is said to have also relieved people’s weariness hundreds of years ago. Of course, due to its rarity, only the richest or those of the nobility would have had access to this root. Almost all medicines prescribed to high-ranking Chinese aristocrats included ginseng. Such ginseng must have been piqued the curiosity of the few Westerners who entered East Asia in the 17th century. Around that time, ginseng was introduced to the West as a mysterious herb of the East.

A Brief History of Ginseng

In 1680, a clinical casebook containing treatments using a strain of ginseng was published in the United Kingdom. It was written by a Yorkshire Dr. Simpson who described a patient who was thin, short of breath, and coughing. The patient also had a fever and a lack of sleep or appetite. Experimenting with ginseng root warmed in fresh milk, he reported in conclusion a…

“wonderful success… Mr. M—, who was much emaciated and reduced into a perfect skeleton, a meet bag of bones . . I was resolved to try what the Tincture of this Root would do . . And I found his Flesh to come again like that a Child and his lost Appetite restored, and his natural Ruddy Complexion revived in his Cheeks, to the Amazement of his desponding Relations, called Lazarus the Second.”

In the “A History of the Materia Medica” of 1751 (which was an encyclopedia of medicines), ginseng was mentioned in these glowing terms:

“European doctors esteem it a good Medicine in Convulsions, Vertigoes (dizziness), and all nervous Complaints, and recommend it as one of the best Restoratives known.”

Ginseng played a role in American history as well. After the Boston Tea Party, the colonies were not at a loss as to what they could trade in China for tea, porcelain, and other spices. Ships filled to the brim with wild American ginseng would bring in great profits in then Canton and Amoy. Entire towns sprung into collecting the now precious root causing a mini gold rush in the Appalachians. 

In more recent history, R. Sokolov wrote in the April 25, 1976 issue of The New York Times:

“Health‐food stores from coast to coast are selling it in ever greater volume. Fancy East Side Manhattan pharmacies are featuring it. And a dramatically growing number of Americans are talking about its amazing powers. R is considered to be a tonic and a way to better all‐round health.”

And of course, provided a cocktail recipe:

Combine 2 oz, vodka, I oz. lemon juice, 1 tsp. triple sec. 1/2 tsp, ginseng extract. tbsp. sugar with several ice cubes in a cocktail shaker.

Shake vigorously for 15 seconds; strain into a glass.

Mr. Lee’s Ginseng Cocktail

As the world braces for a new era of global pandemics, ginseng is again on people’s radars. 

Ginseng and Respiratory viruses


SARS, MERS, and coronavirus. It is said that ginseng sales soar whenever a respiratory virus is prevalent. Company bosses in South Korea and Hong Kong are known for distributing ginseng-derived products to employees. What’s not surprising is that ginseng is finding its way into chocolates, teas, dressings, and energy drinks sold in North American shops

Of course, ginseng is seen as part of the preventative arsenal instead of a cure-all. Studies in recent years have had trouble proving its efficacy empirically, but have not found negative side effects.*