"Fen Cha," Tea Art

"Fen Cha" is also known as the "theater of tea." It is a game that began among the people of the northern Song Dynasty. In this, one has to first grind the tea into powder, then pour it into the tea cup. Next, add water, whisk and form an image on the surface of the liquid. This is known as “water calligraphy." It is said that a master tea artist, a monk named Fuquan, could whisk four cups of tea at the same time and produce tea with images of poetry, landscape paintings, floral and animal paintings. Sadly, this art has long since been lost.
The culture of drinking tea began in the Tang Dynasty and gained popularity in the Song Dynasty. This reflects the prosperity of that era. Tea is not merely an important item of life. The emperors" love for tea resulted in the inclusion of tea in court. The scholars’ love of tea resulted in a legacy of many tea poems, tea paintings and tea books. Teahouses filled the streets, providing entertainment venues for the people. Many tea-related customs were created as well.
Steamed Oolong loose leaf tea was sold in the market, and became an alternative simpler way of brewing tea. Tea disks were replaced by loose leaf tea.