Tea drinking, a long-standing tradition in China, used to be associated with older generations but is now being embraced by youth, who enjoy sharing their rituals on social media.
The hashtag 'Boiling Tea Around Furnace' (围炉煮茶) has been trending on Chinese social media sites like Douyin (Chinese TikTok) and Xiaohongshu (comparable to Pinterest).
Tea is one of many things on the menu. During the fall season, persimmons, sweet potatoes, chestnuts, peanuts and rice cakes are often paired with simmering pots of tea.
Cafes offering zen tea time experiences have popped up in the likes of Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Shanghai.While some customers are just there for the photo ops, others go to genuinely have a good time with friends.
Many Chinese youths have also recreated the trend at home as a cost-saving alternative. One Xiaohongshu user supposedly spent a mere 60 RMB (8 USD)to fix up her DIY teatime spread.
Learn more about food and drink trends in China by clicking the link below.