a study on chinese tea culture and westen coffee culture

A study on Chinese tea culture andwestern coffee culture学生姓名：古丽娜专业班级：英语101学号：20100701805IntroductionChina has formed its own tea culture for thousands of years, and Chinese tea has become an indispensable and important part in people’s daily lives. Similarly, western coffee also has cultivated its own culture in a long history. Today, tea and coffee rank as the first two natural beverages in the word, and with the economic globalization and the integration of cultures, economy and politics all over the world, tea can be found in western countries and meanwhile, coffee appears in China.The importance of tea to Chinese people is what the importance of coffee to westerners. Though there exist some differences between tea culture and coffee culture, much more commons can be found. Studying the commons of Chinese tea culture and western coffee culture is necessary for cross-cultural communication between the east and the west.This paper mainly focuses on the commons of two cultures and tries to provide a reasonable way to further develop and deepen the cross-cultural communication between countries in China and western countries.Key words: tea culture; coffee culture; differences; similaritiesContentsI. Chinese tea culture (4)1.1 Brief introduction of Chinese tea culture (4)1.2 History of Chinese tea culture (4)1.3 The present situations of Chinese tea culture (5)II. Western coffee culture (5)2.1 Brief introduction of western coffee culture (5)2.2 History of western coffee culture (5)2.3 The present situations of western coffee culture (6)Ⅲ. The trend of Chinese tea culture and western coffee culture (7)3.1 Differences between Chinese tea culture and western coffeeculture (7)3.2 Similarities between Chinese tea culture and western coffeeculture (7)3.2.1 Cultures both with a long history (7)3.2.2 Common social functions (8)3.2.3 Common economic functions (8)3.3 The fusion of Chinese tea culture and western coffee culture 93.3.1 The popularity of tea in the west (9)3.3.2 The popularity of coffee in China (10)I. Chinese tea culture1.1 Brief introduction of Chinese tea cultureChinese tea culture is a component of China’s traditional outstanding culture. The defini tion of culture in The Grand Dictionary of Chinese Language is “from a board definition, it refers to the material and spiritual wealth created in the practice process of human social history” Obviously, the so-called tea culture means the material wealth and the spiritual wealth related to tea directly. Narrowly said, tea culture only refers to the spiritual wealth. The writer Jin Gangshi holds this view in his article “What is tea culture” He (2008) thought that tea culture could be divided into four leve ls: “found culture, system culture, behavior culture and psychology culture.Chinese tea culture refers to the methods of preparation of tea, the equipment used to make tea and the occasions in which tea is consumed in China. The emergence of Chinese tea does a great favor to enhance the spirit and wisdom of human beings to a higher level. It not only has the embodiment of Chinese spiritual civilization, but also the extension of the ideological form. Accordingly, it is beneficial in enhancing the cultural accomplishments and aesthetic appreciations of people.1.2 History of Chinese tea cultureChina is the home country of tea. Before the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Chinese tea was exported by land and sea, first to Japan and Korea, then to India and Central Asia and, in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties, to the Arabian Peninsula. In the early period of the 17th century, Chinese tea was exported to Europe, where the upper class adopted the fashion of drinking tea. Chinese tea, like Chinese silk and china, is an outstanding contribution to the world's material and spiritual civilization.China is the homeland of tea. It is believed that China has tea-shrubs as early as five to six thousand years ago, and human cultivation of tea plants dates back two thousand years. Tea from China, along with her silk and porcelain, began to be knownover the world more than a thousand years ago and has since always been an important Chinese export.The story of tea begins in China. According to legend, in 2737 BC, the Chinese emperor Shen Nong was sitting beneath a tree while his servant boiled drinking water, when some leaves from the tree blew into the water. Shen Nong, a renowned herbalist, decided to try the infusion that his servant had accidentally created. The tree was a Camellia Sinensis, and the resulting drink was what we now call tea.1.3 The present situations of Chinese tea cultureAfter the founding of Chinese People Republic in 1949, the annual production of tea changed from 7500T to more than 60 million tons. Tea of material wealth for Chinese tea culture has a large increase in the development to provide the solid foundation. In 1982, in Hangzhou, the first unity “home of tawny man” which holds the purpose of developing Chinese tea culture was set up. In 1998, Chinese international peace tea culture communication house was built. With the development of tea culture, more and more tea houses appear. Provincial cities and counties hold “the festival of tea” such as Fujian Wuyi city, Yunnan’s P u-erh tea festival. With tea as the carriers, it promotes the overall economic trade development. International tea culture already open to the fifth world conference, attracting Japan, Korea, America, Hong Kong and Taiwan regions to attend.II. Western coffee culture2.1 Brief introduction of western coffee cultureCoffee culture describes a social atmosphere or series of associated social behaviors that depends heavily upon coffee, particularly as a social lubricant. The term also refers to the diffusion and adoption of coffee as a widely consumed stimulant by a culture. In the late 20th century, particularly in the Western world and urbanized centers around the globe, espresso has been an increasingly dominant form.2.2 History of western coffee cultureCoffee has a history dating back to at least the 9th century and has been acatalyst for social interaction across cultures and areas. Originally discovered in Ethiopia, coffee beans were brought into the Middle East by Arab traders, spreading to Egypt, Yemen, Persia, Turkey and North Africa by the 15th century. Muslin merchants eventually brought the beans to the thriving port city of Venice, where they sold them to wealthy Italian buyers. Soon, the Dutch began importing and growing coffee in places like Java and Ceylon, and the British East India Trading Company was popularizing the beverage in England. Coffee spread across Europe and even reached America.The history and the development of the beverage that we know as coffee is varied and interesting, involving chance occurrences, political intrigue, and the pursuit of wealth and power.According to one story, while a sheepherder named Kaldi tended his sheep, he noticed the effect of coffee beans on behavior. Kaldi noticed that the sheep became hyperactive after eating the red "cherries" from a certain plant when they changed pastures. He tried a few by himself, and was soon as overactive as his herd. The story relates that a monk happened by and scolded him for "partaking of the devil's fruit." However the monks soon discovered that this fruit from the shiny green plant could help them stay awake for their prayersAnother legend gives us the name for coffee or "mocha." An Arabian was banished to the desert with his followers to die of starvation. In desperation, Omar had his friends boil and eat the fruit from an unknown plant. Not only did the broth save the exiles, but the residents of the nearest town, Mocha, took their survival as a religious sign. The plant and its beverage were named Mocha to honor this event.2.3 The present situations of western coffee cultureCoffee ingestion on average is about a third of that of tap water in North America and Europe. Worldwide, 6.7million metric tons of coffee were produced annually in 1998–2000, and the forecast is a rise to seven million metric tons annually by 2010.Although the consumption of coffee per capita in the world is decreasing in some countries like the USA, world consumption is still increasing due to the population explosion.According to International Coffee Organization, it is estimated that China's coffee consumption will grow by about 15 percent per year, far above the global average of 2 percent.Ⅲ. The trend of Chinese tea culture and western coffee culture3.1 Differences between Chinese tea culture and western coffee cultureTea is a gentle beverage requiring preparation and time to sip. The pace is always slow, calm and tranquil, the beverage soothing. On the other hand, the coffee culture can be fast paced and frantic. Images of people in lines at the drive-through talking into microphones and driving around buildings to pick up huge paper cups of the daily special come to mind.For the people in China, they enjoy a cup of tea without adding anything, but the people in western countries prefer to have a cup of coffee with some sugar in it so that it will not such bitter and it can enjoy its perfume better.The implication of Chinese tea culture is broad and profound and it is the unity of the material and spiritual wealth. The characteristics of western coffee culture are enthusiastic, bold and unrestrained liberty concise.In recent years in China, there has been a growing trend for women to drink tea to loose or control weight. As the old saying goes, one apple a day keeps doctors away. With tea, people can say one cup of tea a day keeps troubles away. Tea helps with your weight.3.2 Similarities between Chinese tea culture and western coffee culture3.2.1 Cultures both with a long historyBoth Coffee and Tea have legendary past, tea was discovered by the ancient Chinese ruler Shen Nong, when a fateful leaf fell into his boiling water. And there are three legends of how coffee produces.Chinese tea has a long history about five thousands years and coffee culture has also developed over one thousand years. Both tea and coffee have become the representatives of the eastern and the western culture.With the wide spreading of tea and coffee, teahouse and coffeehouse arises at thehistoric moment. Just as coffee becomes a part of daily life in the west, tea becomes a part of daily life in China. One can see tea houses scattered on the streets of China and coffee houses stand by the road of western countries.3.2.2 Common social functionsToday, more and more people like to have a cup of tea or coffee with family members or friends as a way of relaxing. They talk about everything they like while drinking tea or coffee.With the social development and the improvement of people’s living conditions, a larger number of people like to go to tea houses or coffee houses to have some tea or coffee instead of drinking them at home. And they always have some dim-sums during tasting.In China, when a guest comes, people usually make a cup of tea instead of other drinks to show their passion. And in western countries, the hosts usually provide the guests some coffee. No matter tea or coffee, they express the same meaning: “Welcome”Drinking tea can cultivate one’s morality, raises a gender, edify sentiment, grade life, comprehend enlightened, and achieve spiritual enjoyment. Coffee is elegant, romantic appeal of experience and poetic style of the border. It is a symbol of improvement of one’s taste to drink tea.Not only the tea but also the coffee has the function of allaying the sense of prolonged mental fatigue and keeping off sleep for some time. And to a certain extent, they can also be good for people’s hea lth. Scientific studies show that tea works effectively against cancer. A strong cup of coffee is considered a good protection from the effects of malaria.3.2.3 Common economic functionsNowadays, doing some trade or businesses is not as serious as the past. The businessmen usually go to a tea house or a coffee house other than in the meeting room, to negotiate and drink tea or coffee at the same time. And sometimes, they will chat something about tea or coffee.3.3 The fusion of Chinese tea culture and western coffee cultureIt is obvious that Chinese tea culture and western coffee culture have much in common. People in the eastern or western countries accept these two cultures. And they can exist at the same time in the same cultural background.3.3.1 The popularity of tea in the westSince the tea has been imported to the western countries, it is more and more popular with the people. And different kinds of tea ceremonies and products are formed.Henry James said “There are few hours in life more agreeab le than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” It is known as tea time. Tea time is that special time of a day to pour yourself a cup of tea and enjoy the moment. Tea time serves as a time out to think, talk to friends or simply sit back and relax. In some cultures tea time is a ceremonial time based on tradition of many years such as in the Far East. In British culture, drinking tea is an institution; whenever something happens, good or bad, the common reaction is to have a “cuppa” (a cup of tea). As the popularity of tea in western countries, “tea time” roots in people’s mind. It can be proved by many foreign writers and literature. Dramatist Pineiro praised tea “tea is the place where hope lies.” In Pride and Prejudice, the protagonists would have tea after dinner. Tea time is very important. Even if you have big things to deal with, you would better await others to finish their tea time first. In addition, there are various kinds of tea party, tea in garden and picnic-tea. Among these western countries, Britain is the biggest tea consumer. As the British people wake up, they enjoy a cup of tea on the head of bed. At the breakfast they have another cup of tea. In the morning office, either busy or not, people must take 20 minutes to sip tea. In the afternoon, they have “afternoon tea”. After back home, they have “high tea”. And at the end of a day, “farewell tea” is indispensible. With the popularity of tea, many exquisite tea sets become fashionable all over the world. It also makes Chinese superb porcelain technology and painting process known at home and abroad. In recent years, especially among young people in France, tea becomes fashionable. They like to have a bath with tea because it is skincare and has function of losing weight.However, the western tea culture is different from the Chinese one. They often drink tea with milk and sugar, and some snacks. And “Mix and Match” become more and more popular in nowadays, some of the stores mix up tea, milk and coffee. This new kind drink is popular among the young.3.3.2 The popularity of coffee in ChinaCoffee, in comparison, is just an infant in China. It was a little over a hundred years ago when a French priest introduced coffee to southern China’s Yunnan Province. It briefly caught the attention of the bustling city of Shanghai during the 1930s, but the long war and revolution that followed left it a drink fit only for westerners. It returned briefly in the mid-1960s when the government, encouraged by coffee’s cash crop opportunities, cultivated thousa nds of hectares of coffee crops again in Yunnan. The quality of the coffee was lacking, it failed to sell, and the effort was abandoned. In the 1980s, there was a third attempt. The world’s largest food company, Nestlé, introduced instant coffee to China. It is the beginning of popularity of coffee in China. Instant coffee is more common as it is quicker, and strangely “baby bottles” of water which are carried around and sucked on every five minutes. It is convenient for people to enjoy coffee anywhere anytime.。