At the table
Stir gently and sip from the bowl after it cools a little. The fine ground ingredients remain in the drink. Snacks called yazhuo are eaten alongside, not necessarily mixed in.
Contains sesame and caffeine, with ginger pungency and added salt. Ask about peanuts and other additions; let hot tea cool before drinking.
Some versions add peanuts; a thicker version adds rice flour. Accompanying snacks vary and are separate from the tea recipe.
Know what you’re trying.
Grind prepared tea leaves, soaked rice, ginger, roasted sesame and salt into a paste, then add water and bring to a boil. Some versions add peanuts; a thicker version adds rice flour. Accompanying snacks vary and are separate from the tea recipe.
Ingredients
Tea leaves, rice, ginger, roasted sesame, salt and water; peanuts or extra rice flour in other versions.
Origin & regional roots
Hunan
Associated with Hunan.
About this regional connection
Hunan: Taohuayuan/Changde ground-tea tradition, not exclusive ownership of all leicha.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有桃花源擂茶吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
Taohuayuan ground tea
This account describes a tradition or story, rather than an established historical fact.
In Taohuayuan, grinding tea in a ridged earthenware bowl is part of family meals and hospitality. Tea and accompanying snacks also bring neighbours together for long conversations.