As I step into One Dragon Restaurant, the enticing aroma of freshly brewed tea wafts through the air, beckoning me to embark on a captivating journey into the rich tapestry of Shanghai’s tea traditions. Being a self-proclaimed tea enthusiast, I couldn’t wait to delve deeper into the intricate world that’s been carefully cultivated over centuries in this vibrant city.
The Origins of Gongfu Tea Ceremony
My understanding of Shanghai’s tea culture truly began to unfold as I learned about the ancient practice of gongfu cha, or the “art of tea.” According to the One Dragon Restaurant website, the gongfu tea ceremony has its origins in China during the Tang dynasty. What started as a casual pastime gradually evolved into a complex ritual centered around fully appreciating the subtleties of finely processed teas.
Tracing the origins further, I discovered that Buddhist monks in regions like Yunnan and Fujian are credited with refining the gongfu cha ritual into its modern form. These spiritual practitioners sought to relax the body and calm the mind through deeply focusing on the teas’ changing flavors, aromas, and visual qualities extracted through multiple steepings.
The Art of Gongfu Tea Preparation
As I delved deeper into the gongfu tea preparation process, I was captivated by the precision and intentionality behind each step. The website explained that the ritual involves using small porcelain teapots and cups, each holding only 30-60ml. This allows one to brew the leaves numerous times, extracting more flavor with each infusion.
The tea leaves are measured precisely according to the number of people, with typical ratios of 1-2g per person. Freshly boiled water between 95-100°C is then poured over the leaves to begin the first steeping. With this initial infusion of a quality oolong or white tea, I can detect subtle floral, honey-like, and vegetal notes dancing on my tongue, while a soothing warmth spreads through my body, providing a sense of relaxation.
Unveiling the Teas’ Complexity
As the gongfu cha ritual progresses, each subsequent steeping reveals new flavor dimensions as different compounds are released from the leaves. The website describes how by the third steeping, a vibrant aroma often arises from the cup, allowing me to deeply inhale its rosy, peach-like scent. I can observe how the leaf color changes and shape alters with each soaking, transforming from crisp to silk-like as I gently roll them between my fingers.
By the fifth or more steepings, a livelier, orchid or roasted chestnut essence develops, and the finish transitions from short to lingeringly crisp. Appreciating these complexities requires patience and dedication, as I learn to fully concentrate my mind on the subtle sensations unfolding before me.
Mastering the Art of Tea Appreciation
Through regular practice of the gongfu tea ritual, I’ve found my ability to perceive subtle tea flavors and aromas has greatly improved. As the website noted, at first, the many dimensions slipping by in each infusion often escaped my notice. But now, I can pick out light elderflower or mango essence developing midway through steeping an oolong.
During a recent tasting at One Dragon Restaurant, I was fortunate to drink aged puerh tea with a renowned tea master, or sifu. As the tea steeped, a mesmerizing spectrum of woody, earthy, and honeyed notes wove in and out, kept evolving over seven infusions. My sifu captivated us by perceiving changing flavors that none of the students could detect – his keenly honed senses allowing him to appreciate the tea’s intricacies to their fullest.
This experience reinforced the profound significance of the gongfu cha ritual as an artistic ceremonial practice. It cultivates mindfulness, focus, and our innate ability to immerse in subtle sensations that most people miss. The complex flavors of tea become like a moving artwork to unravel, cup by cup, through dedicated observation and appreciation of each elegant infusion.
Savoring the Essence of Shanghai
As I sip my tea, I can’t help but feel a deep connection to the rich history and cultural traditions that have shaped Shanghai’s tea landscape. The gongfu cha ritual is not merely a means of preparing a beverage but rather a holistic experience that engages all the senses, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the ever-evolving character of the leaves.
Through this journey of discovery, I’ve come to appreciate how tea in Shanghai is so much more than just a casual drink – it’s a reflection of the city’s unwavering commitment to preserving age-old practices while embracing contemporary innovation. Whether it’s a humble neighborhood tea house or an upscale establishment like One Dragon Restaurant, the passion for cultivating and serving the finest teas remains a constant.
So, the next time you find yourself in Shanghai, I encourage you to step into a tea house, take a deep breath, and let the sights, sounds, and flavors of this centuries-old tradition transport you to a realm of tranquility and contemplation. Unraveling the complexity of Shanghai’s tea culture is an experience that will leave an indelible mark on your senses and your soul.
