A new trend is brewing

Tea-flavored drinks and desserts, presented by Heytea and Theatre Tea, are targeting young consumers who seek a fresh experience of Chinese tea.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Sitting cozily around a charcoal stove, upon which boils a pot of tea, Sui Xin and two of her friends spend a whole afternoon roasting nuts and fruits while chatting and relaxing.

Over the past two years, it has become one of the 28-year-old's new ways to connect with friends outside the hustle and bustle of her daily routine. Sui, who works in the fast-paced office of an internet company in Beijing, says enjoying freshly brewed tea and flipping food is a more relaxing and intimate choice for a gathering of friends, compared to a Western-style afternoon tea. "We usually boil white tea, which is light in flavor, and roast some nuts, small sweet potatoes, rice cakes or oranges to pair with the tea," Sui says. The process of tea brewing over a charcoal fire provides a calming and mindful experience for her, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sui is not alone in her newfound love for Chinese tea. From Chinese-style tea drinks to the kung fu tea ceremony, Chinese tea has become an increasingly popular choice for people looking to incorporate healthy habits into their modern lifestyles. At the same time, tea makers and teahouses are exploring new ways to promote tea culture, from providing unique tea experiences to creating new tea blends and collaborating with other cultural entities. Brewing tea over a charcoal fire is a traditional custom in Chinese culture that has been practiced for centuries. It's a social activity that brings together friends and family to share warmth, conversation and love for tea. The custom has been depicted in many Chinese paintings, poetry and literary works.