Drinking tea originated in China. Over 3000 years, Chinese people's tea drinking habits have undergone many changes. A survey on modern tea drinking habits shows that 60% of people love tea; 50% developed the habit after starting work; another 30% grew to love tea under parental influence. Regarding the main purpose of drinking tea, 55% drink for health; 30% for refreshment; the remaining 15% for weight loss. The survey also reveals that most people remain at the "drinking" level, with less than 20% having knowledge of tea culture.
1. Choosing expensive over good.
"Nowadays there are more high-priced teas, which besides satisfying taste needs, also serve as status symbols," says famous tea scholar Zhao Yingli. "Tea prices are determined by quality and grade." Quality mainly refers to origin and variety, while grade relates to picking time and part. China Tea Marketing Association vice president Wang Qing believes ordinary people don't need premium tea - they should choose based on budget and taste. Zhao recommends 100-300 RMB/jin tea, emphasizing quality over grade.
2. Choosing mainstream over suitable.
The tea market undergoes cyclical trends influenced by marketing and consumers. When Tieguanyin became popular, everyone drank it; when Jin Junmei trended, it flooded streets. Actually, season, time, personal constitution, age and preferences should determine tea choice rather than popularity.
3. Drinking without appreciating.
There are two types of tea: "basic necessity" tea for physical needs (thirst-quenching, refreshment), and "cultural" tea for spiritual needs (expression, ritual, enlightenment). Zhao Yingli says tea's greatest value is primarily nurturing the heart, secondarily nurturing the body. Especially for busy, stressed middle-aged people, taking time to patiently brew and appreciate tea is important.
4. Extreme drinking methods.
Current trends include either steeping tea leaves all day in a large cup, or elaborate ceremonies requiring specific environment, music, water and people. Both extremes are inadvisable. Long steeping prevents tasting true flavor and may leach heavy metals. Overly elaborate ceremonies create distance from tea's essence as a daily beverage. Tea should be approachable - just a tea table with friends, casual and happy.
Selecting tea by constitution and season:
To health-preserve through tea, understand different teas' properties. Researcher Han Chi says each tea's nature differs - choose suitable ones. For example, while green tea has good antioxidants, cold-constitution people may feel discomfort. Researcher Jiang Heyuan notes drinking should consider climate - many drink one tea year-round, but should adjust seasonally.
Best teas for different genders:
Elderly: Zhao Yingli says many elders worry tea causes calcium loss, but moderate consumption with milk/tofu compensates. Older people can drink more black tea.
Children: Can appropriately drink light tea, beneficial for growth.
Men: Suitable for green tea, raw Pu'er over 3 years, oolong tea, especially Wuyi rock tea.
Women: Can drink good green tea for beauty effects, but control intake during menstruation/pregnancy. Menopause suitable for flower tea and Dancong.
Incorrect methods damage nutrition:
Zhao Yingli warns the biggest mistake is steeping tea all day in a large cup - this doesn't allow tasting true flavor and long steeping may leach heavy metals. "Tea must be separated from water" using proper utensils. Other errors include not rinsing new tea, keeping leftover tea, and not cleaning tea stain. Both new and aged tea may have pesticide residue or dust mites - best to rinse and discard first brew. Tea stain affects health and taste. Finally, many wrongly believe tea causes insomnia. Highly fermented teas like black tea and ripe Pu'er contain little caffeine - not only not affecting sleep, but aiding digestion and sleep if consumed one hour after dinner.