Lei cha

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Hakka Lei cha

Lei cha (Chinese: 擂茶; pinyin: léi chá; lit. 'pounded tea'; pronounced [lěi ʈʂʰǎ]) or ground tea is a traditional Southern Chinese tea-based beverage or gruel that forms a part of Hakka cuisine^[1] . In English, the dish is sometimes called thunder tea since "thunder" (雷; léi) is homonymous with "pounded" (擂; léi).^[1]

History[]

The custom of Lei cha began in the Three Kingdoms period or even Han Dynasty. It is very prevalent among Hakka people in Hakka regions of Taiwan. It is brought by Hakka people to Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and any locales with a substantial Hakka diaspora population. Besides Hakka Lei cha, Lei cha is also very traditional among Hunanese people in Northern part of Hunan Province of Mainland China. So, the Lei cha custom in China has two different kinds: Hakka Lei cha; and Hunan Lei cha.

Lei cha is not the same as Taiwanese tea because there are always other ingredients. Ground tea consists of a mix of tea leaves and herbs that are ground together with various roasted nuts, seeds, grains, and flavorings.

Production[]

Although Lei cha can be bought commercially prepared and prepackaged, the drink is usually made "from scratch" just as it is about to be consumed.

Popular areas[]

Hunan, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian and Taiwan.

Ingredients and preparation[]

Lei cha (right) served with a bowl of rice and vegetarian toppings (left)

Ground tea is a varying mix of:

• Tea leaves – any type of tea leaf can be used, but the most popular and common are either Green tea or Oolong; for ease of use, sometimes matcha (finely milled green tea) is used
• Roasted nuts, legumes and seeds – the most commonly used are peanuts, mung beans, and sesame; other examples include soybeans, pinenuts, Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, Lentils, lotus seeds
• Roasted grains – examples: cooked or puffed rice, wheat
• Herbs and flavorings – examples: ginger, salt
• Chinese herbal medicine may be included for health purposes

The ingredients are ground in a food processor, or with a mortar and pestle, or in a large earthenware basin with a wooden stick. The mix should be reduced to a powder that resembles fine cornmeal.

The powder is then placed into a serving bowl and hot water is stirred into it such that a thin soup-like beverage is produced.

Consumption[]

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The tea is drunk for breakfast or on cold winters as a tasty and healthy restorative.

Lei cha may also be taken as a dietary brew. In that case, it is served with rice and other vegetarian side dishes such as greens, tofu, and pickled radish. A variety of Lei Cha popular as Khai Lang Lei Cha is a part of street food in Malaysia.

Traditionally, Lei cha is a savory brew; however, in contemporary interpretations it is often consumed as a sweet drink.

Now Lei Cha is also served as a main dish for lunch or dinner, where Chinese would sit around a big round table with their family and enjoy Lei Cha.

See also[]

• Hakka cuisine
• Taiwanese cuisine
• Hunan cuisine
• Chazuke

References[]

External links[]

• History and cultural significance of Lei cha
• Description of Lei cha and its benefits (Chinese)
• Lei Cha and its accompanying dishes