Tea, the most popular beverage for the Chinese, is one of China's specialties and traditional exports. According to historical data, china began to grow tea about two thousand years ago during the period of the Warring States (403-221 B.C.). Tea falls into five major categories, i.e., black tea, jasmine tea, Wulong tea (a tea that is half fermented), green tea and brick tea, which is otherwise known as tightly pressed tea.

It is universally acknowledged that china is the original tea-growing area, as well as the first country to grow, produce and drink tea.

It is universally acknowledged that china is the original tea-growing area, as well as the first country to grow, produce and drink tea. It is universally acknowledged that china is the original tea-growing area, as well as the first country to grow, produce and drink tea.

In the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties a popular custom was tea appraising. Over the long history of drinking tea, a special and simple Chinese tea culture came into being. Drinking tea was not only for quenching thirst or for enjoyment, but also for the promotion of friendship and mutual understanding. Folk customs of drinking tea reflected the ancient Chinese people's great interest in tea culture.

People often used tea as a betrothal gift; for it could not be "transplanted." After accepting tea as a betrothal gift, a girl could not capriciously change her decision to marry her fiance.

Entertainment of guests to tea is the most fundamental social behavior in the Chinese people's contacts with each other. When a guest comes, the Chinese will offer him or her a cup of tea to express friendship.

China is the home country of tea. Before the Tang Dynasty, Chinese tea was exported by land and sea, first to Japan and Korea, then to india and Central Asia and, in the Ming and Qing dynasties, to the Arabian Peninsula. In the early period of the 17th century, Chinese tea was exported to Europe, where the upper class adopted the fashion of drinking tea. Chinese tea, like Chinese silk and china, made an outstanding contribution to the world's material and spiritual civilization.