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What is the ranking of the top ten famous teas in China? where do the three common black teas come from?

Published: 2026-04-04 Author: World Gafei

Last Updated: 2026/04/04, China has a history of more than 5000 years, and the history of tea can be traced back to 5000 years ago. The origin of tea drinking is not really known, and the origin of tea culture in China began according to folklore in 2737 BC when the second emperor of China, Shennong, studied plants and herbs when the leaves of camellias in the courtyard were thrown into his pot of boiling water. At this time, tea is mainly regarded as a drink.

China has a history of more than 5000 years, and the history of tea can be traced back to 5000 years ago. The origin of tea drinking is not really known, and the origin of tea culture in China began according to folklore in 2737 BC when the second emperor of China, Shennong, studied plants and herbs when the leaves of camellias in the courtyard were thrown into his pot of boiling water. At this time, tea is mainly regarded as a drink.

By the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC), the refreshing function of tea gradually replaced its medicinal function. People began to dry the tea leaves to preserve them. When they make tea, they put the tea into the pot to make a thick soup. The princes of the Zhou Dynasty were used to drinking this thick soup, but because of its bitter taste, it did not become popular.

In the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), the collection and processing of wild tea were improved. Tea has become a delicious drink and is very popular among aristocrats. During the Wei and Jin dynasties (220-265), tea became a drink at banquets and contributed to philosophical and metaphysical discussions. People began to like the "freshness and purity" of tea rather than the "violence and intoxication" of wine.

Interestingly, however, for centuries, Chinese people did not like black tea. Although it is well known that tea trees are native to China, black tea is often regarded as imported from foreign countries. Perhaps the best illustration of this point is that China, a country with a history of drinking tea for more than 2000 years, had the Chinese name "black tea" less than 200 years ago. The expression in English is "Black Tea", which literally means "black tea" in Chinese.

The types of Chinese tea

There are mainly six kinds of tea produced in China: green tea, black tea, oolong tea, black tea and white tea, which are mainly different from different production methods. Folklore associates each kind of tea with certain characteristics of human beings.

Therefore, people say that green tea, simple and light, represents the scholastic philosophy of southern China; black tea, light and implicit, quite ladylike; oolong tea, warm and persistent, symbolizing the perseverance of philosophers; black tea, with a long aftertaste, symbolizing the wisdom of the elderly, and so on.

Although the tea drinking ceremony is very popular in Japan, it actually originated in China. The process of brewing, smelling and tasting tea combines the philosophical ideas of Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism, encouraging people to explore their own spiritual world and provide refreshments.

In addition, different regions of China have developed their own unique tea drinking customs. For example, people in Guangdong like to drink morning tea, people in Fujian like to drink Kungfu Tea, people in Hunan like to drink thunder tea, people in Sichuan like to drink "covered bowl tea", and Bai people entertain guests with "three-way tea". Tibetans like buttered tea and Inner Mongolians like milk tea. These rich and colorful tea customs constitute the breadth and depth of Chinese tea culture.

Tea has been an integral part of Chinese culture for thousands of years; it was popular before the Egyptians built the Great Pyramid and traded with Asian countries even before Europe left the Dark Ages.

The importance and popularity of tea in China continues to modern times and has become a symbol of the country's history, religion and culture. Basilur salutes this tradition and culture through tea legends-the Chinese Empire and our special Chinese milk oolong tea.

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