阅读理解
The Chinese ancient tea ceremony(仪式) is a practice of preparing, serving, and enjoying tea. It might start in the Tang Dynasty or even earlier and it reached its greatest time in the Song Dynasty. The traditional Chinese tea ceremony is usually held in important situations to welcome guests.
Main steps:
*Prepare a tea set. To hold a Chinese tea ceremony, a full tea set is needed, including a teapot, a serving bowl, cups, plates, etc.
*Heat the tea set. This step can help tea fully give off its nice smell.
*Put tea leaves into the teapot. Use the teaspoon, not the hand, to place some tea leaves into the teapot.
*Wash tea leaves. Pour the hot water into the teapot and keep it for a few seconds, and then pour out water quickly.
*Brew tea. Refill the teapot with hot water of a proper temperature, cover it and wait for a few minutes to keep the pleasant smell of the tea soup.
Manners and rules:
If you are the host, please:
*Serve the tea with both of your hands.
*Do not fill the teacup fully, since the hot tea soup might hurt the guests.
*Keep an eye on the teacups of your guests and fill them in time.
If you are the guest, please:
*Receive the teacup with both hands when being served with tea.
*Show your admiration and thanks to the host when smelling or drinking the tea soup.
*Take a small mouthful of tea soup every time instead of drinking it up at a time.
*Dress properly to attend the tea ceremony.
