The right way: UiTM students looking on as professional tea master Chin Han Lin demonstrates the correct way to brew tea.
Some 50 students had a taste of Chinese tea culture thanks to the Mandarin Language Society of Universiti Teknologi Mara (Shah Alam campus).
The students also got to learn about the various types of Chinese tea and the correct brewing method during a visit to the Taetea Co. Ltd. headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 30.
The outing was organised to facilitate cultural exchange and to promote unique Chinese tea culture among the different races.
Professional tea master and Taetea business manager Heng Siew Chia, who was the keynote speaker during the event, delivered an insightful presentation on the important role of tea in Chinese cultural history, introducing students to the main types of Chinese tea as well as its many medicinal values.
A live demonstration was also conducted for students to experience and to gain a deeper understanding of the significance of a Chinese tea ceremony. Most of those present had never tasted nor tried their hand at brewing tea prior to the visit to Taetea but under the guidance of a tea master, they learnt the proper way of brewing tea.
At the end of the session, the students got to enjoy and appreciate the full aroma and unique qualities of their self-brewed Pu-er tea, with some expressing a desire to continue learning more about tea culture.
Raja Siti Maryam Raja Mohd Salleh, a student from the varsity’s Law Faculty, said this was her second time participating in the activity organised by the Mandarin Language Society.
The activity, which attracted 56 participants, was first held in December last year.
Prior to her participation in 2023, Raja Siti Maryam said she only ever used tea bags from the supermarket.
Now, she has taken to brewing Pu-er tea using a gaiwan (a traditional Chinese tea vessel).
“Chinese tea is beneficial to health.
“I am eager to recommend it to my family and friends as I have developed a deep passion for Chinese tea culture and would like to one day become a certified tea master and to compete in international tea-tasting competitions,” she said in a press release.
