What is the Definition of Tea?

Although the definition of tea may seem obvious, the term has a much broader scope. This article examines all the components that define tea.

The definition of tea incorporates botanical classifications, tea categories, cultural traditions, historical developments, and linguistic evolution.

Botanical Classification

Botanists place tea within Kingdom Plantae, Angiosperms, Dicotyledoneae, Archichlamydeae, Order Ericales, Family Theaceae, Genus Camellia, Subgenus Thea Chang, Section Thea, and Series Sinenses Chang.

The most commonly cultivated tea plant is Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Ktze. Section Thea contains other species, but growers rarely cultivate them.

Classification of Teas

People classify tea according to its processing method, color, production region, fermentation level, and harvest season. Common categories include green, black, yellow, oolong, red, and white tea.

Regional classifications include Shu tea from Sichuan, Dian tea from Yunnan, Zhe tea from Zhejiang, and Min tea from Fujian.

Fermentation levels separate tea into fully fermented, semi-fermented, and lightly fermented categories. Seasonal classifications include spring, summer, fall or autumn, and winter tea.

Green and oolong tea represent the basic tea classes. Additional processed varieties include yellow, red, flower, pressed, fruit, and health tea.

Symbolism and Cultural Significance

Tea symbolizes longevity. The Chinese character for tea, 茶 (cha), contains elements associated with the numbers 20, 8, and 80, which total 108.

Chinese culture calls people who live beyond 108 years “Cha Sui Lao Ren,” a term that signifies longevity. People also give tea as a gift during festivals to represent health.

Historical Names for Tea

Throughout history, people have used many names for tea, including Cao Zhong Ying, Luo Nu, Cao Da Chong, Bu Ye Hou, Li Xiang Cao, Tu, Rao, She, Ming, Chuan, Jia, Jia Meng, Jiao, Cha Chuan, Ku Cha, Ku Tu, Yao Ming, Xiang Ming, Chuan Cha, Xing Cao, Yao Cha, Lao Lü, and Ming Jiang.

Evolution of the Term “Tea” (茶)

During the Tang Dynasty, people most commonly used cha (茶) and tu (荼) as names for tea.

Emperor Tang Xuanzong’s book, The Pronunciation and Meaning of Characters of Kaiyuan, helped replace tu with cha.