Bride's Tea

Bride's Tea

　　　　Product Name: Bride's Tea

　　Product Origin: Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province

　　Product Features: Richly fragrant.

　　Product Ingredients: Mineral elements, proteins and amino acids, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, etc.

　　Product Efficacy: Promotes hormone secretion, regulates blood sugar levels, lowers cholesterol levels, reduces blood pressure, etc....

　　Product Introduction: Tea has long been a symbol of "purity, steadfastness, and fertility" in traditional Chinese wedding customs. Xu Cishu of the Ming Dynasty wrote in his Tea Lore: "Tea does not move from its roots; when planted, it bears seed." In ancient times, tea was used as a wedding gift to signify "unwavering commitment." It was believed that tea plants could only sprout from seeds and could not be transplanted, so tea became a symbol of "unchanging devotion" through the ages. Because "tea is the purest," it represents love that is "crystal clear and pure"; "tea does not move from its roots" symbolizes love that is "steadfast and unchanging"; tea trees bear many seeds, representing "prosperous offspring"; and tea trees remain green all year round, making tea offerings a promise of "everlasting fidelity" and "eternal youthfulness" in love, blessing the couple with "mutual respect" and "growing old together." Thus, it became a tradition for engaged couples to exchange tea as a betrothal gift, and tea ceremonies became an important ritual in formalizing marriage. The act of offering tea—referred to as "presenting tea" or "betrothal tea"—and the woman accepting it—called "receiving tea" or "drinking tea"—signified a lawful union. If a woman accepted tea from another suitor, she would be scorned as "drinking tea from two families," which was socially unacceptable.

　　There is a folk saying: "A virtuous woman drinks tea from no two families." "Three Teas": In the Jiangsu-Zhejiang region, the entire marriage ceremony was traditionally referred to as the "Three Teas and Six Rituals." The "Three Teas" refer to "presenting tea" during the engagement, "betrothal tea" at the wedding, and "union tea" upon consummation. Alternatively, the three tea ceremonies performed during "matchmaking, meeting the families, and entering the bridal chamber" were also called the "Three Teas." "Three-Course Tea": During weddings, a "Three-Course Tea" ceremony is held. The first course is "assorted fruits"; the second is "lotus seeds or dates"; and the third is "tea leaves," all symbolizing "unchanging devotion." When drinking the three courses, the first cup is received with both hands and a deep bow. Then the cup is lightly touched to the lips before being taken away by family members. The second course follows the same procedure. Only upon the third course may the guest take the cup, bow, and drink.

Product Story: In western Zhejiang, matchmakers who facilitate relationships between men and women are also colloquially referred to as engaging in "tea talks." After a matchmaker’s introduction, if the woman agrees, tea and boiled eggs are served. In Deqing, Zhejiang, tea customs related to marriage are even more diverse, including: "Receiving Tea": After the man and woman’s birth signs (Ba Zi) are matched and both families agree to the union, the man presents betrothal gifts and money. If the woman accepts, it is called "receiving tea." "Betrothal Tea": Once the couple confirms their marital relationship, a formal betrothal ceremony is held. Both families exchange twelve tea pots and a package of flower tea wrapped in red paper, which is given to relatives—this is called "betrothal tea." "Big Family Tea": After a woman marries, her family sends sprouted broad beans and tea snacks to both families and neighbors, known as "big family tea." "Fiancé Tea": In households with unmarried daughters, many young men visit. Therefore, the family often prepares fine tea to serve these potential “future sons-in-law” (colloquially called "fiancé tea"). "Parents' Tea": On the second day after a daughter’s wedding, when her parents visit her, they bring one or two liangs of tea (preferably pre-Qingming tea), half a jin of roasted beans, and two liangs of dried orange peel mixed with wild basil—this is called "parents' tea." "Bride's Tea": After the wedding morning (Wangzhao), the bride’s mother-in-law visits the bride’s family to invite the "parents-in-law" and close relatives to their home for "celebratory tea," known as "bride’s tea." In Hunan, when a man visits a woman’s family for a matchmaking meeting, the woman serves him a cup of plain tea. After drinking, the man places a valuable item or money in the cup as a return gift. If the woman accepts it immediately, it signifies her consent. Before entering the bridal chamber, tea is made with dates, peanuts, longans, and osmanthus—mixed with rock sugar—to entertain guests, symbolizing "early birth of a noble son" and "passing the imperial examination." "Pillow Union Tea": Before entering the bridal chamber, the newlyweds drink "pillow union tea." The groom holds a cup of plain tea and offers it to the bride, who takes one sip, then the groom drinks—this completes the marriage ritual. The next day, the newlyweds serve tea to elders as a form of greeting. The elders drink and then place a red envelope as a "meeting gift" on the tray. "Teasing Tea": In Yunnan, during weddings, there is a custom called "teasing tea." For three days after the wedding, each evening, the newlyweds serve tea to relatives and friends in the living room. The tea must contain brown sugar, symbolizing "sweetness." During this time, guests may challenge the couple with tongue twisters, riddles, or poetry recitals. If the couple refuses or gives incorrect answers, guests laugh loudly. The idea is that "the more teasing, the warmer the bond." "Opening Door Tea": In Jiangsu’s old customs, when a wealthy family arranged a marriage, as the groom went to the bride’s home to fetch her, he bowed once upon entering each gate until he reached the main hall to greet his future in-laws. He then drank tea three times before resting briefly in his mother-in-law’s room, waiting patiently for the bride to board the bridal sedan—this was called "opening door tea." "Thank-You-for-Matchmaking Tea": After the wedding, the newlyweds or their parents offer tea to thank the matchmaker. Since tea is an indispensable part of the thanks, it is called "thank-you-for-matchmaking tea." "Drinking Bride’s Tea": In southern China, it is customary to drink "bride’s tea." On the morning after the wedding, after washing and dressing, the bride is led by the matchmaker to the living room to greet her sternly seated parents-in-law and offer them tea. After they drink, they give the bride a red envelope (gift money). Then, led by her mother-in-law, the bride offers tea to relatives and guests, and visits each household to offer tea to neighbors. After serving tea, as guests finish, they place a "red envelope" on the tray while returning the cup, and the bride slightly bows in thanks. When drinking bride’s tea, the bride must offer tea to everyone without exception—doing otherwise is seen as "unreasonable." "Returning Tea": Interestingly, "tea" in Chinese weddings is not only linked to engagements and weddings but also to breaking off engagements. Tea is not only a symbol of union but also of separation. In Guizhou’s past, marriages were often arranged by parents (i.e., arranged by parental decree and matchmakers). If a woman was unhappy with the arranged match and wanted to call it off, she would wrap a packet of tea in paper and, at a carefully chosen moment and in strict secrecy, take it to her fiancé’s home. After exchanging polite words with her future in-laws, she would leave the tea packet and quickly depart—symbolizing the return of the "betrothal gift," known as "returning tea." However, if the fiancé or his family found out about the intention to break the engagement beforehand, and caught the woman, the man could immediately host a feast and marry her. Therefore, when returning tea, secrecy is key—timing is crucial, and the woman must act in complete confidentiality. She must also scout the route to the fiancé’s home and ensure his parents are home and no one else is around to guarantee success. Women who dare to return tea—and succeed—are praised. After returning tea, parents may scold their daughter, but eventually, the family must formally handle the cancellation of the marriage with the groom’s side.