Russian fans savor Chinese tea, culture

Elena, a cultural ambassador of Shanxian county – administered by Heze city in East China's Shandong province – is a teacher at FinU, or the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, based in Moscow.

She recently hosted a delightful Chinese tea tasting and cultural exchange event in the Russian city of Penza, which attracted the participation of students, faculty members, as well as Chinese culture enthusiasts and experts.

Elena (right) hosts a Chinese tea tasting and cultural exchange event in Penza city. [Photo by Zhu Shuhua for chinadaily.com.cn]

China, celebrated as the birthplace of tea with a history spanning over 4,700 years, shared its diverse tea culture during the gathering. Elena and Chinese international student Zhu Shuhua guided participants through the unique characteristics of various teas, highlighting classics like Tieguanyin tea and Biluochun tea.

Tieguanyin tea, originating from China, is an oolong tea known for its coiled, plump leaves and a golden, amber brew. It offers a delightful orchid fragrance and a rich, sweet aftertaste that lingers for minutes.

On the other hand, Biluochun tea belongs to the category of green tea and has a recorded Chinese history of more than 1,000 years. With its vibrant emerald color and tightly curled leaves, this green tea presents a harmonious blend of mellow freshness and lingering sweetness.

Participants couldn't help but shower praise on the high-quality tea from China and the profound tea culture they experienced.

"I'm thrilled to introduce Chinese tea and its rich culture to the local Russians through this event," Elena said.

"Moving forwards, I'll continue my efforts to promote Chinese culture, allowing more Russians to experience its unique charm," she added. (Edited by Zhou Yunlai)