How to Serve Chinese Tea

Tea is not just any beverage in China – it is their national drink. According to the traditional Chinese culture, not offering hot tea to a guest is highly inappropriate. Moreover, certain strict rules must be followed while serving tea to the guest, such as:

• One must serve the eldest members first.
• The handle of the teacup must face the left side of the server and the right side of the guest.
• When offering the tea the server must hold the saucer with both hands. The guest usually receives it holding saucer in the left and teacup in the right hand.
• Always ask for second servings.