What manner of serving tea did the Chinese do?
The people in China when they first started drinking tea, they didn’t use teapots. Instead, they put tea leaves and hot water into a small bowl with a cover.
Some Chinese people chew tea leaves seasoned with salt and other spices.
They would bring the bowl to their lips and lift the cover very slightly with their forefingers, just enough to drink the liquid but not the leaves.
They prepare tea in a brass or silver tea pot to which sugar and mint are added. Then tea is served in small glasses with mint leaves. If guests accept an offer of tea, they are expected to drink at least three glasses.