Cha dao (茶道, chádào)
Cha dao (茶道), “the way of tea”, brings together ideas about brewing, beauty, hospitality and the attention we give to making and sharing tea.
There is no single definition shared by every school or country. The term has varied uses in Chinese contexts; Japanese chado has its own history, schools and procedures. Shared written characters do not make the traditions identical, or justify reducing one to freedom and the other to formality.
At Tao of Tea, we suggest starting simply: choose a familiar tea, brew it with care and take time to taste it. When sharing, ask what your guests enjoy and let them decide whether they would like another cup.
Taking time for tea can be a pleasant pause without becoming a spiritual exercise. You may be interested in flavour, company or craftsmanship; none is a lesser reason to enjoy tea. To learn a particular school’s practice, study with its teachers.
Related teas
Chinese tea glossary