Chinese Tea Food

Tea was popular in ancient China which has been a part of Chinese culture since before the third century. In the beginning, tea was used in ritual offerings. Then, tea leaves were eaten as a vegetable, or used in medicine. China is the first country in the world to discover and use tea. However, herb nourishing is inferior to food nourishing. Nowadays, tea is also an excellent form of seasoning. There are some tea food including dishes, snacks, beverage, etc.

1. Tea Dishes in China

Tea Eggs(茶叶蛋)

Fragrant and flavorful tea eggs are a traditional Chinese food. It is a typical Chinese savory food, in which a boiled egg is cracked slightly and then boiled again in tea, and sauce or spices. Commonly sold by street vendors or in night markets in most Chinese communities throughout the world, it is also commonly served in Asian restaurants.

The original recipe uses various spices, soy sauce, and black tea leaves. In the traditional method of preparation, eggs are boiled until they reach a hardened, cooked state. The boiled eggs are removed from the water, and the entire shell of each egg is gently cracked all around. The cracking method is the formal feature in this traditional egg recipe. After about ten minutes, the cracked eggs are ready to be put into the prepared spiced-tea liquid and simmered over medium heat. For best results, the eggs should be allowed to steep for at least several hours.

Dragon Well Tea Shrimp(龙井虾仁)

Longjing (Dragon Well) is a famous variety of green tea from Hangzhou in the Zhejiang province in China. Renowned for its high quality and intensely fragrant body, Longjing tea is well regarded as one of the most famous teas produced in China.

This dish is produced using the meat of live river prawns coated with egg white and moistened starch, fried in lard at a medium-low temperature for 15 seconds, removed from the oil and drained when jade-white in colour, and then quickly stir-fried over extreme heat with boiling water infused with Longjing tea, tea leaves and Shaoxing wine.

According to legend it arose when the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing dynasty visited southern China. Hangzhou’s famous Louwailou restaurant is a well-known producer of Longjing prawns.

Green Tea Mixed with Tofu(绿茶拌豆腐)

Wash a piece of tofu and beat an egg into a bowl with a little salt. Heat a small amount of cooking oil in the pot, add tofu with a spoon mashed, fried it until the water dried, then add green tea, eggs, salt, monosodium glutamate. Drizzle with sesame oil, add chopped green onion and stir fry. This dish is tender and tasty, light and nourishing to the stomach.

Mandarin Fish Steamed with Black Tea(红茶蒸鳜鱼)

Before steaming the fish, wash the tea leaves and put part of them into the belly of the fish together with other spices. Sprinkle the rest of the tea leaves on the fish and steam the fish.

2. Tea Snacks in China

Tea snacks like sweet tea cake, tea biscuit, tea bread, tea ice cream can be used as food to satisfy hunger, help digest and refresh yourself. This kind of food includes tea noodles, tea preserved fruit, tea juice candy, green tea gum, tea dumpling, etc. These food are suitable for people who don’t like greasy food but like fresh fragrance.

Matcha Green Donuts

Matcha is finely ground, powdered, high quality green tea. When you consume matcha, you ingest the entire tea leaf, which makes you receive 100% of its nutrients. It is great for your metabolism, helps you burn calories and also is a powerful antioxidant. Calms your mind and helps you feel relaxed.

Green Tea Ice Cream

Reap all the flat-belly green tea and Greek yogurt benefits with a cup of this Green Tea Ice Cream. Low in calories and fat, and dishing up 9 grams of satiating protein, this is one frozen treat you don’t have to feel guilty about!

3. Tea Beverage

The classical and traditional drink in China is tea, so the tea beverage is also popular in China. However, the market is now about to shrink. The main reason for the declining is trend is health concern. The high sugar ingredients in the tea beverage is pushing consumer away.

Food Culture Travel

Food is an integral part of Chinese culture and it should be an integral part of your trip too if you are a foodie who loves Chinese food. Don’t miss the famous local cuisine at the destination you stay. Most often, delicious food is with beautiful scenery. Beijing, Xian, Chengdu and Shanghai are famous food centers of China. Peking Roast Duck, Sichuan Hot Pot, Mapo Tofu, Kung Pao Chicken… Different cities have different local flavors and different food culture. Choose places to visit according to your preference. We have designed a series of China food tours for you. If you have enough time, you can visit several places to taste the great regional cuisine. Also, if you are interested enough, you can also have chances to make Chinese food.