What is the way to select tea？
3 min readSelecting best tea always challenges tea drinkers.Customers usually buy jasmine tea according to its quality grades，which may come in as many as ten or more grades，with grade one being regarded as the best.Jasmine buds are intentionally put into the tea to produce an agreeable scent；but tea connoisseurs classify the tea by the shape of the leaf，the color of the liquid，and the aroma，taste and appearance of the infused leaf.
The following are some simple ways that may help tea drinkers select tea:
a.Tea leaves should always be kept dry.Customers can use their fingers to press tea leaves to see if they are dry.Slight finger press easily breaks dry tea leaves into small pieces.
b.Aroma is the most important factor.Good tea always smells good.
c.The color of the tea liquid and the shape of tea leaves vary with different types of tea.Generally，the tea liquid should remain clear and free of impurity，and the shape of good tea leaves in the liquid should be whole and even.
Are there special circumstances in which tea is prepared？
There are some popular sayings like“Tea comes first when entertaining guests ，”“There is no ritual without tea ，”or“The friendship between gentlemen appears indifferent but is pure like water；the friendship between tea drinkers appears mildly intoxicated but is flavorful like tea.”
People usually host guests with tea at home or at work.At a special tea partyserving a cup of tea is more than a matter of mere politeness.It is a show of respect to guests.Before brewing tea for guests，the host should wash hands，clean cups or teacups.A ceramic tea set is preferred.The host should ask guests whatkind of tea they prefer:green tea，black tea，jasmine tea，or another.Each cup is70%full with boiled water，and the tea water tastes neither too strong nor too light.
Generally the host places the teacups on the saucer before he presents them toguests.In addition，the host often uses his two hands to present the teacups toguests.As he uses his two hands to present the teacups to guests，guests should rise to their feet and take over them also with both hands.At the same time，guests should express their appreciation by saying“thank you.”
Following are special circumstances in which tea is prepared and consumed.
In China，the younger generation commonly show respect to the older generation.One traditional holiday activity is to offer a cup of tea to one’s elders at a family dinner gathering
In the past，people of lower ranks served tea to those of higher ranks.Today，however，parents may sometimes pour a cup of tea for their children when at home，and a boss may even pour tea for subordinates at restaurants.However，the lower ranking person should not expect the higher rank person to serve him or her tea on a formal occasion.
In Chinese culture，people make serious apologies to others by pouring them tea as a sign of regret or submission.
In the traditional Chinese marriage ceremony，the bride and groom kneel before their parents and serve them tea to express their gratitude.The parents usually drink a small portion of the tea and then give them a red envelope，which symbolizes good luck.
