China is the hometown of tea, and where also is come of tea culture. Many countries in the world know China and Chinese traditional culture by tea products. It is tea and tea culture that bridge the gap between China and the world. Tea and tea culture promote the intercommunication between Chinese traditional culture and other cultures in the world, and also stimulate Chinese foreign trade with the world. To today, singing praise of tea as Great Harmony of the world is reproach less. What have Hunan people done in this areas? After lots of research and study, we found out that Hunan has devoted greatly in origin, heritage, and development of Chinese tea culture as followings: Hunan is one of the original places of tea culture; has the earliest tale about finding and using tea in prehistoric agricultural culture; has the first county named by tea in China; excavated tea and tea silk picture relics most early; has Yuezhou china kiln, which is one of the six famous kilns in Tang Dynasty; has Yuantoujiashan Temple, which is characterized by “tea and Zen have the same tasty” theory; has Hei Cha, which has devoted to strengthen nations comity for hundreds years as boarder trade product. To research and discuss Hunan tea culture are the need of times when there has a tea culture upsurge through the country and the world. It also can stimulate Hunan tea economy, drive the development of Hunan tea culture heritage as well. Depending on the first hand investigating information in Hunan Province, referring to related historical data and former study, we investigated and researched the origin of those widespread tea custom in Hunan, like Ram Tea (Lei Cha), Salt Ginger & Bean Tea, the role of tea in marriage custom, and in sacrifice, the theory of “tea and Zen have the same tasty”, etc. And we also clarified several facts as followings: we cognized MaYuan theory is the most reasonable one among many tales about the origin of Ram Tea; Yue Fei Cha is
Investigation on Fountainhead of Hunan Tea Custom
