Basic Introduction to Sanpotaí Tea

The Sanpotaí tea drink is unique to the local characteristics of Lanzhou. To simply call it a tea drink is not comprehensive or profound enough. The Sanpotaí is an indispensable leisure lifestyle in this city. When drinking, one must hold the lidded bowl and use the other hand to gently scrape the floating tea leaves into the lid, then decant the tea with the lid. When drinking, one should suck and make slurping sounds. When the aroma of tea and fruit fills your mouth, you can't help but exclaim with satisfaction, “Ah, so comfortable!” Therefore, the Sanpotaí is also called “Scraping the Bowl.” Saying “scraping the bowl” implies relaxation, chatting, and socializing.

Product Features

The young Green Tea leaves fall slowly like snowflakes, while the brown longans and golden chrysanthemums float on the surface like budding spring flowers. The rising wisps of red steam carry a fresh and delicate fragrance that invigorates the senses. A tea that is fragrant but not sweet is considered bitter, while one that is sweet but lacks vitality is not considered top-grade. Only those that are fresh, refreshing, and vibrant are considered the best of teas. The red, purple, green, and white colors create a peaceful scene that is pleasing to the eye and enjoyable together.

Historical and Folk Customs

China is the birthplace of tea, and from south to north and within the Great Wall, every household has tea, and every family enjoys it. Serving tea to guests has become a virtue of the Chinese nation. Due to differences in geographical location and lifestyles, tea-drinking customs vary. In Gansu, most people prefer the medicinal tea known as “Sanpotaí.”

The Sanpotaí originated during the prosperous Tang Dynasty and was introduced to Northwest China during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It combined with the local Muslim tea-drinking customs to form a unique tea product with a strong local flavor. The tea set is delicately crafted, consisting of three parts: the tea lid, the tea bowl, and the tea tray, hence its name “Sanpotaí” or covered-bowl tea. The fine porcelain is elegant and antique, pleasing to the eye, and when consumed, it is fragrant and sweet, leaving a lingering aftertaste.

Tasting and Preparation Methods

The Sanpotaí tea is named differently based on its ingredients, and different teas are chosen according to the season. Generally, there are brown sugar brick tea, white sugar clear tea, and rock sugar hollow tea. People who are unwell can choose different teas according to their condition; for instance, rock sugar hollow tea for clearing heat and fire, brown sugar brick tea for stomach issues, and white sugar clear tea to aid digestion. For daily health, the “Eight Treasure Tea” includes ingredients such as dates, goji berries, walnut kernels, longans, sesame seeds, raisins, and candied fruits in addition to the tea. When the Hui people prepare covered-bowl tea, they rinse the bowl with boiling water first, then add the tea and various ingredients before pouring in boiling water and covering it. The tea is typically steeped for two to three minutes.

Preparation Method

1. Boil water in a kettle, pour it into the covered bowl, and use tongs to gently swirl the tea bowl, evenly scalding it with boiling water.

2. Place all the ingredients into the tea bowl, boil the water again, and slowly pour it into the cup, cover and let it steep for 2 minutes.

3. When drinking, use the lid to gently push aside the floating tea leaves and goji berries, etc., and sip carefully along the edge of the bowl.

Tips

The ingredients for the Sanpotaí in Lanzhou are not limited to a few options, but every recipe includes good green tea, goji berries, longans, and rock sugar. Other candied fruit ingredients can be chosen according to personal preference, such as apricot slices or raisins. The local Hui people also add chrysanthemum flowers or rose petals to their Sanpotaí, enriching the layers of tea aroma and adding a touch of romance.