It is well known that, next to simple water, the most popular drink on earth is tea. In China, almost every aspect of the cultivation and production of traditional teas is controlled. The Chinese drink green tea and some oolongs without milk, while black tea is produced exclusively for export. Tea drinking in China has long been considered a Chinese social activity. Stories say that tea drinking began in the Tang Dynasty, when Buddhist monks gathered to drink their beverage after meditation. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The practice soon spread to the general public, as the refined scholars of the time sought to perfect the art of tea drinking. Then, as the volume of tea production increased, the number of Chinese teahouses began to flourish, particularly during the Song Dynasty (960 – 1279). From the Song Dynasty, the number of Chinese tea houses peaked during the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1279). 1911). At that time, both the style and function of Chinese teahouses had diversified. Tea houses began to adopt elegant settings decorated with paintings, bonsai and calligraphy. They only sold tea. There were also others that combined Chinese tea house and Chinese restaurant and offered traditional beer. In these environments some snacks with local flavors were also offered. Style of a Chinese Teahouse Today's Chinese teahouses can be divided into three different styles: traditional, modern and fusion. First, the traditional tea house aims to promote national culture while providing an urban center for leisure and business. The modern variety is represented by the Taiwanese-style restaurant. In these modern settings, the main attraction is a low-quality sweetened green or red tea, to which small, sticky taro balls are added. Finally, the fusion type, as the name suggests, is a combination of the two styles. According to some sources, Chinese teahouses, especially traditional ones, mainly focus on cultivating a taste for pleasure. Teahouses are more expensive than Chinese coffee shops, but the cost includes a choice of teas and an assortment of snacks such as melon seeds, cookies, preserved plums, and candy. Visitors to these teahouses usually sit on cushions at low tables to drink premium Chinese teas. Their tea is often brewed in a small Satsuma-sized teapot and then poured into even smaller cups. Reports have found that the teapot can be brewed three or four times. In the Chinese teahouse, drinking tea is generally about appreciating tea for its aroma, appearance, and flavor, rather than quenching one's thirst. For the Chinese, it is a special occasion, without formal attire, where small snacks accompany tea. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom EssayChinese Tea House TodayThese days, most of the tea houses in China are scattered across the city. They are usually set up on the piers of bridges along the river, to provide a resting place for visitors and travelers arriving from afar. Although not large in size, the teahouses have a neat layout. As many have said, they resemble pergolas in a way. The tea served in teahouses varies from green tea to black tea, along with local delicacies and desserts. There are cases when you arrive early in the morning and order a cup of tea, chat and enjoy the warm sunshine at the same time, until the teahouse closes at dusk. With this setting the tea refills come.