Chinese tea

[craigjm]

When you go into a chinese restaurant and order tea, what is it that you actually get and where can you buy it? Ive had a look in a chinese supermarket but they have so many different ones its hard to know where to start.

[srappy]

The most common is jasmine tea. This is the light brown coloured one. The darker coloured one with a more bitter taste is called po-nee tea. The illuminous green one is proper green tea from Japan. My personal favourite is the tea with roasted rice in it which is called gen-main tea.

HTH

[craigjm]

srappy said:

The most common is jasmine tea. This is the light brown coloured one. The darker coloured one with a more bitter taste is called po-nee tea. The illuminous green one is proper green tea from Japan. My personal favourite is the tea with roasted rice in it which is called gen-main tea.

HTH

Thanks, I am guessing the kind of use loose tea too as there is always the odd black bit of tea in the bottom of the cups. Its definitely not bitter so I am guessing it must be the jasmine tea. It starts off very light and when left to sit in the pot goes brown but not as deep brown as a PG tips etc. I am just surprised that I like it and with it not being served with milk it kind of makes life easier when you live on your own and dont eat breakfast cereal

[Fishtigua]

A mate just came back from visiting his daughter in China. I'd asked him to buy some tea for me while he as there. He got me a big tin of Zhong Gou Ming Cha tea, I asked him how much I owed him for the cha? He fell about laughing and said forget about it, it was less than 45p. Git!!

Gunpowder green tea is another favourite, Twinings do one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunpowder_tea

[srappy]

craigjm said:

Thanks, I am guessing the kind of use loose tea too as there is always the odd black bit of tea in the bottom of the cups. Its definitely not bitter so I am guessing it must be the jasmine tea. It starts off very light and when left to sit in the pot goes brown but not as deep brown as a PG tips etc. I am just surprised that I like it and with it not being served with milk it kind of makes life easier when you live on your own and dont eat breakfast cereal

Yeah, they are almost always loose leaves. Makes it easy to make a brew with the strength you like. It does sound like it's jasmine tea that you're after. Take a look in your local Chinese grocers to find it, you'll probably find lots of different brands but they are all pretty cheap.

[Puggit]

It's a little known fact that you can get Jasmine tea free in Wagamamas

[toxgobbler]

Oolong fujiang tea is another frequently found in restaurants, when you get the big black bits in the bottom of the pot, quite a distinctive, delcate, yet moreish flavour. It is semi-fermented.

[Phil.]

I drink chinese tea every day - get it from Jing Tea. Lots of varieties to try.

http://jingtea.com/

Edited by Phil. on Sunday 3rd February 20:31

[Phil.]

I drink chinese tea every day - get it from Jing Tea. Lots of varieties to try.

http://jingtea.com/

Edited by Phil. on Sunday 3rd February 20:32

[dapprman]

My preference is Bo-lay (Pu-erh) but most Chinese restaurants do not do it. The vast majority I've been in do just jasmine, this includes a reasonable number where I'm one of the few non-Chinese diners.

[Mobile Chicane]

Phil. said:

I drink chinese tea every day - get it from Jing Tea. Lots of varieties to try.

http://jingtea.com/

That's where I get my tea from.

Favourites include:

Jasmine Pearls (closest to what the OP is looking for I think)
Phoenix Honey Orchid (Oolong)
Lychee Red (black tea scented with lychee)
Yunnan Gold (rich and malty but never bitter)
Mango green and black tea ( a blend of green and black tea scented with dried mango pieces)
Flowering osmanthus (hand tied green flowering tea with apricot notes)

Well worth getting the gear to brew it properly I think.

Pour the tea out into the cup once brewed, then re-infuse the leaves when you're ready

[Pothole]

srappy said:

The illuminous green one
HTH

The what now?