In January 2023, I began hosting regular mindful tea ceremonies in Auckland. My intention was to share this art of tea as a meditation practice from Vietnam, my birthplace, to New Zealand, my current home. Tea is the second most consumed drink in the world, after water. It is also the beverage of choice for Buddhist monks to support their meditation practice. Tea is believed to have been around since 2737 BCE.

What is tea? What is not tea? How many types of tea out there?

Tea, or cha is originally used to refer to beverage from leaves of tea plants Camellia sinesis, and sometimes also from Camellia taliensis.

The word "tea" in English came directly from the word te in Min Chinese and teh in Malay. The word "chai" also originated from a northern Chinese pronunciation of cha. In Vietnam, tea is called tra` which is also similar to the pronunciation of cha from China.

Regardless of the rising popularity of herbal tea, the term herbal tea refers to drinks not made from Camellia sinensis. In Asian culture, herbal tea is not tea, they are tisane.

Similarly, there are meat and vegan meat, vegan meat isn't meat from animal at all but has been also called meat. Imagining in the next 100 years when modern language evolves and forgets the original meaning of some certain words. That has been the case with the word tea and herbal tea. Herbal tea isn't tea if there is no "tea" in it, it's herbal being drank as tea. This fact only becomes important when the tea industry has gotten so big with commercial tea brands making million if not billion dollars from their tea products. Quite often, there are a lot of tisanes (herbal teas) being marketed as high end and luxury products but with artificial flavors.

In this article, we won't dive too deep on the effects on the environment of tea industry. However, in mentioning what is tea and what is not tea, my intention is to raise more awareness on conscious consumption of tea. Getting to know the difference of tea and tisane is part of knowing what type of plants we are putting into our bodies. It is about connecting with our body with love and respect as well as connecting with nature by understanding different tea & herbs and potentially what properties they contain.

More information on the etymology of tea here.

Types of Tea

There is an argument about the different ways to categorize the types of tea. In this article, we will look at the six most common types, based on the processing methods used after the leaves are harvested. These are:

1. White Tea: The least processed, white tea is made from young leaves and buds that are simply plucked and allowed to wither and dry. It has a delicate, light flavor.

2. Green Tea: The leaves are quickly steamed or pan-fired to prevent oxidation, preserving their green color and fresh, grassy flavor. It is rich in antioxidants.

3. Yellow Tea: A rare and more complex tea, yellow tea undergoes a slightly longer oxidation process than green tea. The leaves are allowed to yellow as they oxidize gently, resulting in a sweeter, more mellow flavor.

4. Oolong Tea: This partially fermented tea falls between green and black tea in terms of oxidation. Oolong tea can range from light and floral to rich and roasted, depending on the level of oxidation.

5. Black Tea: Fully oxidized, black tea has a strong, robust flavor and is the most commonly consumed type of tea worldwide. It is often enjoyed with milk or sugar.

6. Pu-erh Tea: A fermented tea from China’s Yunnan province, pu-erh undergoes a unique aging process that enhances its earthy flavor. It can be either raw or fermented (cooked).

These six types of tea offer a wide range of flavors and characteristics, each unique in its own right.

The ancient story of tea

The ancient history of tea begins with the legend of Shennong in China in 2737 BCE. Shennong, the ancient Chinese emperor, is considered the agricultural hero of the nation. He was the one who instructed people to drink only boiled water. The story shares that Shennong discovered tea when some tea leaves fell into the water he was boiling.

However, the first written mention of tea was found in the publication of Lu Yu's The Classic of Tea. For historians, the period of The Classic of Tea (760-780 CE) marks the official beginning of tea history. During this time, tea began to spread across the Han and Tang dynasties in China, becoming very popular among the elite. Neighboring countries like Vietnam, Japan, and Korea sent scholars and governors to ancient China to learn about its culture and Buddhism. Tea likely spread to Northern Vietnam during this time, especially when ancient China invaded the region and ruled for a thousand years. According to Vietnamese historians, Northern Vietnam was heavily influenced by Chinese culture as part of China's strategy to spread its culture, language, and beliefs.

In ancient China, tea competed with wine to be the most popular drink. At one point, tea was promoted as a replacement for rice used to make wine, as the country faced food shortages from excessive rice being used for winemaking. As a result, tea cultivation grew and became even more popular. Many tea houses began to emerge, becoming gathering places for artists, politicians, and poets. A famous text called "The Debate Between Tea and Wine" (茶酒論) was written during the Tang dynasty. This satirical text presents a dialogue between the personified substances of tea and wine (or alcohol), reflecting the customs and philosophical ideas associated with both beverages.

Tea seeds were taken to Japan and Korea, where tea plants were cultivated. The Tea Horse Road also began as the Chinese traded tea with Tibet in exchange for horses. Tea became an important part of the Tibetan diet, as it helped with digestion after heavy meals. Tea was also traded to the Middle East along the famous Silk Road.

During the Song dynasty, tea was ground and whisked. The Japanese developed this tradition into their own tea ceremony. The Ming dynasty brought many innovations, including clay pots, gaiwans, and small cups. This marked the beginning of the modern era of tea, where whole tea leaves were used and the methods for making oolong and black tea were developed.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, tea began to be brought to Europe by trade ships. The Princess of Portugal experienced tea and fell in love with the beverage. She later married into the British royal family and became Queen Catherine. Tea was first imported to England in the 1650s. Queen Catherine popularized tea in high society, making it a fashionable beverage at elite gatherings.

From there, tea continued to spread throughout the West.

Mindfulness Tea sessions in Auckland

My first public Mindfulness Tea session, following the tradition of Northern Vietnam, was held in January 2023 in Auckland Central. It was the first time I had the opportunity to share the art of Vietnamese mindful tea offering with five other women.

Growing up with this tradition, I was never curious about where it originally came from. It wasn't until I began sharing the tradition that I realized how much I didn’t know about this part of my culture.

Before my first tea session in Auckland, I was fortunate enough to spend a month in Vietnam, learning more about the art of tea at different tea houses and tea farms. My studies on tea have been ongoing for over a year, through reading, research, and participating in courses. There is so much more to learn, and it has been both fun and fascinating.

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Slow Living: The Way of Tea Colouring Book

In November 2024, I published The Way of Tea Colouring Book as part of the Slow Living Series (which consists of 3 books). This book contains 45 illustrations, ranging from bold and simple to detailed and intricate, allowing you to enjoy the relaxing, meditative act of colouring. This book is available on Amazon.