The Chinese gastronomic invasion on India has always been welcomed with open minds and open hearts. If one has to count the number of restaurants and eateries offering ‘authentic Chinese’, it will be an overwhelming number. Along with food, the Chinese teas too are a hot favorite amongst Indians and the trend of visiting tea houses for a refreshing cuppa is fast catching up in urban India. It is therefore interesting to see the spread of Chinese Teas in India.
It is a well known and accepted fact that it was the Chinese who introduced the fabulous beverage, to which the entire world wakes up. There is of course variations in the quality of teas that are available the world over, each with their own distinctive flavor. But Chinese teas are in a class apart. They are not only medicinal but also flavorsome. There are several varieties of these teas like the white tea, the green tea, the red tea and the scented tea. Many of these Chinese Teas in India are seen on the menu cards of specialty restaurants which offer a classic Chinese fare to go along with them. Unlike in Japan, there are no elaborate tea ceremonies in China for drinking of tea. But porcelain is widely used for the tea sets and certain norms pertaining to which leaves are to be picked, how they are supposed to be infused or not infused and how the tea should be served are followed since ancient times. Recipes involving tea as a main ingredient in cooking are very much prevalent in Chinese cooking.
One of the most popular scented teas is the Jasmine Tea which enthralls the drinker with its sweet fragrance and also acts as a coolant. Here, the jasmine flower buds are plucked and placed in the tea cup and hot water is poured over this. The hot water causes the buds to open and flower releasing its fragrance and thus scenting the tea. Chinese teas in India are carefully prepared by chefs who have immaculately mastered the art; jasmine tea is prepared by placing freshly-opened jasmine flowers in the tea leaves which have been plucked and dried. Having kept them overnight or at least for four hours, helps the tea leaves to absorb the taste and smell of the flowers. To rid the tea of the moisture, it has to be again to avoid its spoiling. This procedure needs to be repeated several times again in order to get the fragrance completely seeped in to the tea leaves.
Chinese teas have multiple health benefits as well like, reduction of bad cholesterol, reducing fatigue, reducing joint inflammation, tooth decay and skin irritations. With all these benefits, it is not surprising that these teas are gaining wide spread popularity, and are being patronized by everyone the world over. Concomitantly there is a rise in number of people flocking to dining places like Ping Pong that offer original oriental teas. Customers are now valuing health-oriented drinks, and an increasing number of them view Chinese teas as drinking one’s way to a very good and healthy life without any after effects. Restaurants are now beginning to take notice of the same.
Chinese Teas in Mumbai 
This article was very helpful. I was hunting for some authentic Chinese Restaurant serving traditional Chinese teas. Ping Pong seems to be creating some good buzz for serving traditional Chinese food . I have to try it soon to relish my taste buds.