Chinese Tea Day (Chūgokucha no Hi)

What Is Chinese Tea Day?

July 8 is "Chinese Tea Day," established by the NPO Japan Chinese Tea Association to introduce more people to the world of Chinese tea — a day to enjoy varieties ranging from oolong to pu'er.

The Background of Chinese Tea Day

The date is a pun: "seven" in Chinese is "chī" and "eight" in Japanese can be read "ya," and together they sound like "cha" (tea). Chinese tea has an incredibly rich tradition, with varieties classified by processing method and level of fermentation into six main types: green tea, white tea, yellow tea, oolong (qing) tea, black tea, and dark teas like pu'er.

• Established by: NPO Japan Chinese Tea Association
• Date origin: Chinese "chī" (7) + Japanese "ya" (8) = "cha" (tea)
• Theme: Deepening appreciation of Chinese tea culture
• Notable varieties: Oolong tea, pu'er tea, jasmine tea, and more
• Related practice: Chinese tea ceremony, known as "chayi"
• Registration: Certified and registered by the Japan Anniversary Association in 2007

Trivia About Chinese Tea

• Oolong's fermentation level: Oolong tea falls between green tea and black tea, classified as a "semi-fermented" tea.
• What "fermentation" means: For most Chinese teas, "fermentation" refers not to microbes but to oxidation driven by enzymes in the tea leaves. Dark teas such as pu'er are the exception: they are aged with the help of microbes.
• The six categories: The widely used six-category classification is based on a system proposed by Professor Chen Chuan of Anhui Agricultural University.
• "Cha" and "tea": "Tea" is pronounced "cha" in Mandarin, but the English word "tea" is said to come from "te," the pronunciation used around Amoy (Xiamen) in Fujian Province.
• Tea ware culture: Chinese tea is often enjoyed with specialized tea ware, such as the small "chahu" teapot and "smelling cups" used to appreciate the tea's aroma.
• Connection to Japan: Japan's sencha tea ceremony tradition has its roots, in part, in tea culture imported from China.

How to Enjoy This Day

July 8 is a day to break from your usual tea routine. Pick a Chinese tea you enjoy — oolong, jasmine, or something new — and savor the differences in aroma and flavor.