Tea

Click pics to enlarge. Try not to focus on the Girls. Note the stone slab on which the utensils sit, just in front of the Tea Mistress of the moment.  Behind, various tea cups used by regulars. In the back, packages of Tea. There are actually more male visitors than females, but I take my picks.

 
Letter from Shenzhen (21-18): How I Live, Part IV, Tea

Tea is said to have originated 5000 years ago in China. It was only much later that it went on to Japan, and even later that it was culturally appropriated (to use a currently popular term) by the English and Dutch. Its history is fascinating and you are urged to research it on the net.

Although Westerners (especially the English) drink tea sometimes, due to the dominance of coffee, they don’t consume as much as it as the Arabs, Indians and, of course, the East Asians. In China, Tea is consumed vastly more in the Southern provinces, but that is changing rapidly as the standard of living has steadily improved (the South had long been more economically advanced).

In China, Tea as a leisure pastime is a relatively late arrival but it has certainly blossomed in recent times. Tea Ceremony of variable complexity is performed at the dedicated tea table, with accessories designed for such purpose. Tea sellers do this of course, but a large number of retail businesses do this too as hospitality for their customers. So it is a booming business. The Tea Ceremony has blossomed in economically more advanced Taiwan and Japan long before China. And surely the more complex Tea Ceremony is found in Japan (chanoyu).

Near my home is the largest Tea Retail complex in Shenzhen, 国际茶都 the (“international tea capital”,) that comprise hundreds of shops selling all kinds of tea and associated paraphernalia.

After introduction by a friend, almost every afternoon I go to one of the shops for some tea, and I have made some new friends. This is likely only Part I.

Shop selling accessories, which can range greatly in price.

Tea Furniture is serious business. I'd love to have some of this.

Huge Complex. The whole thing smells of Tea, which is wonderful.