Chinese Tea Day (Chūgokucha no Hi)

What Is Chinese Tea Day?

July 8 is "Chinese Tea Day," established 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

Chinese tea has an incredibly rich tradition, with varieties classified by their level of fermentation into green tea, white tea, yellow tea, oolong (qing) tea, black tea, and dark teas like pu'er.

• 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"

Trivia About Chinese Tea

• Oolong's fermentation level: Oolong tea falls between green tea and black tea, classified as a "semi-fermented" tea.
• 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.