Cha qi (茶氣, chá qì)
Cha qi (茶气), literally “tea energy,” is a traditional expression for subjective sensations during and after drinking tea. Different people and writers use it in different ways.
People may describe warmth, alertness, calm or focus. These are personal impressions rather than a measurable quality of the tea. They cannot tell you the age of the plants or establish a health benefit.
How you feel depends on the amount you drink, caffeine, your sensitivity, sleep, food and surroundings. The sensation alone cannot tell you its cause, and two teas that taste alike may still differ in composition.
Drink slowly and pay attention to how you feel rather than chasing a promised effect. Nausea, dizziness or a racing heart should not be treated as signs of good cha qi: stop drinking tea. Such reactions are sometimes called “tea drunkenness,” but that is an informal label, not a diagnosis.
Related teas
Chinese tea glossary