Tea is a very important part of Chinese culture. It is considered one of the seven daily necessities – along with oil, rice, wood, salt, vinegar and soy – that the Chinese consider essential for facing the day. It is not so surprising then that the Chinese have developed a distinct tea culture of their own.

Chinese tea culture is different from the tea culture that has sprung up in Europe and Japan. There are different ways of preparing the tea, equipment, tasting methods and even occasions for when tea is consumed. The Chinese tea ceremony in itself is formal, yet there's a feeling of familiarity and connection among all the participants that might be hard to find in other tea ceremonies.

Just because tea is served everyday in most homes in China doesn't detract from its importance in special occasions. In fact, the Chinese drink tea to express a wide range of feelings. There's a lot of nuances to serving tea that you need to be sensitive to.

For example, serving tea is something that younger people would do for their elders. The boss is not expected to pour tea for employees during formal occasions. Serving tea, then, is a way of showing respect.

Tea could also be used to communicate family values. Families usually come together on Sundays or holidays to catch up with those who have moved away from home because of marriage, for instance. The best stories are told, of course, around a pot or two of tea.

During weddings, tea also plays a central part. In the traditional Chinese ceremony, the bride and groom kneel before their parents and offer them tea. This is the couple's way of expressing gratitude for all that their parents have given them. The parents would usually then take a small sip of tea and return the cup to the couple along with a red envelope to wish the couple good luck.

How do you show gratitude if you're being served tea? After your cup is filled, it is customary to knock your bent middle and index fingers on the table. Like most Chinese customs, this one has an interesting story behind it.

The story goes that during the Qing dynasty Emperor Qianlong would travel in disguise through the empire. The servants who traveled with him were told not to reveal his identity. One day, in one of their stops at an inn, the Emperor poured tea for a servant after pouring a cup for himself. The servant considered it a big honor to be served by the Emperor this way. His instinct was to kneel and bow before the Emperor to express his gratitude. As he was unable to do this without revealing the Emperor's identity, he bent his fingers on the table instead.

Tea, then, for the Chinese is a sign of welcome and goodwill. When you are offered a cup, accept it gracefully as the promise of friendship comes with it.