First developed in China five thousand years ago, tea evolved from a medicinal herb to an indulgence, and ultimately blossomed to a sublime art. More than an art of taste, the authentic art of tea embodies the traditional spirit and values of Chinese culture.

Confucian themes of ritual, benevolence, and virtue, the Daoist ideals of inner balance and harmony, and the Buddhist aim of purification, have all shaped Chinese values for three thousand years. The Chinese tea ceremony has cultivated the essence of all three philosophies since their beginnings.

"Appreciating the essence of tea is a spiritual pursuit that leads to tranquility. Only through serenity can the mind reach understanding, humility and openness."

The authentic Chinese tea ceremony is considered the most sophisticated level of ritual to offer a guest. Performing the tea ceremony, known as Gongfu tea, requires knowledge and control over tea leaves, water, apparatus, temperature and time. Optimum gongfu tea is a balance of bitter, sweet, sour and astringency, created with focused attention while attuning quantity and time. Such an exacting art provides a meditative discipline for understanding and practicing Buddhism’s Middle Way, and the Confucian Golden Mean.

Along with developing individual character, the tea ceremony fosters the Confucian aim of social harmony. Tea rituals have always played an integral role in every Chinese custom from weddings to formal expressions of apology. The pure and unpretentious nature of tea allows the original intentions of offering the symbolic drink to be conveyed. Appreciating and developing genuine humility in the performing of tea rituals nurtures virtues of sincerity, generosity, benevolence and gratitude.

The Chinese art of tea is more than just a convivial experience or an aesthetic ceremony. Tasting tea transcends the physical enjoyment of an exquisite drink. Appreciating the essence of tea is a spiritual pursuit that leads to tranquility. Only through serenity can the mind reach understanding, humility and openness. During stillness, the flavors and aroma of nature permeate our senses to create a state of unity between man and nature.

CHA DAO

Genuine Chinese tea art is respectfully called Cha Dao, meaning the Way of Tea. Tea is the only gastronomic art to attain the title of Dao in Chinese culture. Dao refers to the source of the universe, the process of change, and the path to achieve harmony, virtue and enlightenment. When the tea ceremony is understood and practiced to foster harmony in humanity, promote harmony with nature, discipline the mind, quiet the heart, and attain the purity of enlightenment, the art of tea becomes the Way of Tea.

Chinese tea is about harmony. It is a dynamic art that cannot be codified and bound with rules. Lu Yu the tea sage created the world’s first Tea Classic that outlined the process and fundamentals of the Chinese tea art in the Tang Dynasty. Today’s Chinese tea ceremony still retains the principles established by Lu Yu, yet the rituals have evolved to harmonize with the changes of people and the environment. The methods of preparing tea have modified over the ages to benefit from advancements in tea cultivation, the emergence of new tea varietals and to reflect aesthetic trends. The ever-evolving art of tea reminds us to be flexible, open-minded, humble and conscious of the essential reality of change.

"The Authentic Chinese tea ceremony is considered the most sophisticated level of ritual to offer a guest."

The search for inner peace and social harmony is universal and timeless. Although tea has become the most popular universal beverage, the spirit of Chinese tea remains widely overlooked and unknown. The art of tea promotes a healthy and contemplative lifestyle, while cultivating virtues that are as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago. China Flair aims to introduce the full beauty and essence of the authentic Chinese art of tea.