Dear reader, if you have never had the experience of '茶', or 'chinese tea', you must try it at once. There is nothing that can make you feel more authentically 'chinese' than to have a proper cup of chinese tea. The true chinese sits around all day with a good cup of tea, just as those in the west sit around all day with their cups of coffee. Ahhh! A time to relax and contemplate the world.
Bubbly hot water swirled expertly into the delicate chinese porcelain holding the small handful of dried tea leaves, cover for a minute or so and then lift the lid: poof!, a misty puff of the delicately tender fragrance of chinese tea to please your senses. Holding your sleeve out of the way (if you have long flowing sleeves, that is) carefully pour out the tea into your teacup, hold under the nose a moment to appreciate the aroma and then take the first carefully appreciative sip.
