A cup of tea can offer much more than refreshment. It can evoke memories of home, bring people together, and create a moment of quiet in a busy day. In this accessible talk, tea culture scholar Liu Feng will explore how Chinese tea traditions bring beauty, thoughtfulness, and a sense of balance to everyday life.

Beginning with the familiar act of brewing and drinking tea, Dr. Liu will introduce the aesthetics of Chinese tea as an experience shaped by the senses, surroundings, and human relationships. What draws us to a particular teacup? How do light, color, and the arrangement of a tea table influence our mood? How can sharing tea become an expression of hospitality and care? For Chinese Americans, these questions also open a conversation about cultural heritage and the traditions we pass from one generation to the next.

The talk will trace these ideas to the Tang dynasty writer Lu Yu and his Classic of Tea, a foundational work in the history of tea culture. Through stories and examples, Liu will discuss how this classic connects the practical details of preparing tea with ideals of attentive conduct, simplicity, and personal cultivation.

Liu will also explore the influence of Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist thought on Chinese tea traditions. Courtesy and harmony, an appreciation of nature, and a contemplative awareness of the present all find expression in the ways people prepare, serve, and enjoy tea. These ideas come to life in familiar settings: welcoming a guest, sharing a pot with family, or sitting quietly with a cup of one’s own.

Moving from philosophy to practice, Liu will consider the beauty of teaware, the composition of a tea setting, the atmosphere of a tea space, and the gestures and sensibilities of the person preparing tea. He will also invite listeners to consider how a tea’s color, aroma, flavor, and lingering finish deepen the experience of tasting. Drawing on his work sharing Chinese tea culture internationally, he will explore how these traditions can enrich contemporary life across cultures.

The program will conclude with a question-and-answer session on tea, teaware, etiquette, and everyday tea practices. Longtime tea enthusiasts and curious beginners alike are welcome.