Experience the Seven Bowls of Tea at Royal Tea House

”The first cup moistens the throat;

The second shatters all feeling of solitude

The third cup cleans digestion;

The forth induces perspiration;

With the fifth cup, the body sharpens, crisp;

And the sixth cup leads to heaven;

The seventh cup sits streaming – it needn’t be drunk, as from head to feet one rise to abode of the immortals.”

Imagine this wonderful ecstasy of Lu Tong’s famous poem “The Seven Bowls of Tea”, capturing the arousing changes towards subtler experience of tea.

Realizing all these great benefits, Century Park Hotel is introducing a relaxing destination where anyone can enjoy invigorating  and authentic tea selections direct from the tea farms of Yunan and Wuyi Shan, China. Located at the lower lobby, Royal Tea House is also the ideal place to savor a moment of rest.

Royal Tea House is serving two delicate types of tea: Pu-Erh and Rock Tea.

Drinking Pu-Erh isn’t really about the flavor. Most people say it tastes good, especially aged sheng (raw), but drinking Pu-Erh is more than that—it’s an experience of the whole body. If the Pu-Erh is good it will make you comfortable, and movement of Qi (chi) will begin. Good quality Pu-Erh tea will connect a person to himself, making them feel good. Undeniably, Pu-Erh has greater processing differences between other teas with more interesting historical story, but what makes it extra special is the experiential difference it offers.

The fifth through seventh cups describes the movement of Qi (chi) through the body and some experts say drinking tea inspires the stored Qi (chi) flowing. However, most tea lovers these days are more vulnerable with the fragrance, liquor, taste and sensations.

The Pu-erh tea or the Bolay tea is made from a large leaf variety of tea plant, Camellia Sinensis, and named after Pu-erh County near Simao, Yunnan, China. What makes this tea so unique? Well, just about everything--from the growing condition of the region up to the unusual fermenting process. All teas have a wide spectrum of health benefits, but this has an extra one. Drinking Pu-erh tea can help reduce cholesterol, thus, the perfect tea after a heavy meal. This tea is also famous for its great connotation for tea culture and possesses the effect of boosting the human body’s health, such as: triglyceride, weight loss, anti-arteriosclerosis, and helps in regulating the blood flow. Not to mention, a good anti-oxidant. Unlike other teas that should ideally be consumed shortly after production, Pu-erh can be drunk immediately or aged for many years. Some aged Pu-erh has been in storage for decades, for this reason, drinking it is like enjoying a fine wine.

Pu-erh Tea has four types and is measured by grades that reflect the amount of buds in each tea leaves. The white tender tea buds are the greatest basis of the tea’s quality and taste, thus, the more buds, a better taste to expect in each brew. First type is the spring (grade 3), summer (dullop), autumn (grade 1), and winter which is considered the highest class of tea or in a super fine category. Though the codes are based in four seasons, the tea leaves are harvested during spring time where leaves are in its best quality.

Ripe and raw Pu-erh tea cakes (compacted tea) are also available for tea connoisseurs. This kind of tea can be purchased as either raw/green (sheng) or ripened/cooked (shou), depending on processing method or aging. Stocks available for raw type in Royal Tea House range from Php815 to Php7, 200 while for the ripe, price is between Php1, 176 up to Php3, 920. Dullop is also available with mini or coin sized in platinum or gold canisters for Php462, medium size is at Php672, while Php392 for a small size.

Aside from the Pu-erh loose leaves, Royal Tea House is also offering instant flavored powder in boxes with 10 sachets. The most popular is orange and lemon (Php122.50) which is beneficial in

preventing cough and colds since it is loaded with vitamin C. Another delicious flavor is blueberry (Php157.50), a good source of vitamin A. Ginger on the other hand, is a sought-after drink in spas and massage centers because of its rejuvenating effects to the body while soothing the throat. Milk tea (Php138.60) has calcium which strengthens the bones, while the original flavor (Php208.60) is a fat burner.

The Rock Tea plants are growing in the rocky outcrops of Wuyishan Mountain. The combination of the temperature, rainfall and humidity of this mountain gives the Wuyi Rock Teas their characteristics, famous pleasing aroma and flavor. Its fragrance is natural and not impregnated during processing as in scented tea. This tea is exceptionally refreshing as you can savor the sweet after taste in every sip. The Rock Tea (Yan Cha) produced by WuYi Xing is organically grown, pesticide free and comes with the seal of certification by the Chinese government and a Sanitation Certification. Evidently, Wuyi Xing pays strict attention to the quality and sanitation of its products.  It has passed the EEC N 2092/92 which is an international standard requirement of the EU and IMO certificate issued by the Institute of Market-ecology in Switzerland.

The most famous kind of rock tea is the Da Hong Pao (Php380/50g) which means big red robe. Known as an emperor’s tea in China, this kind of tea only grows in mountain cliffs of Fujian province. Whisky like in color, full bodied with a semi-sweet after taste and a pleasant floral fragrance that remains in the mouth. Not all these lingering characteristics are present to many teas. It ranks number one among the WuYiShan Yan Cha.

Another interesting type is the Rou Gui (Php300/50g) which has a clear and yellow color after brewing, with sharp fragrance and a slight bitterness which changes to sweet after taste when left in the mouth. Chen Nian Yan Cha or the aged tea (Php260/50g) is known as a favored drink for scholars, artists, and other famous individuals throughout history because of its smooth, full bodied flavor. 

Shui Xian (Php230 /50g) has a sweet, tangy taste, with strong fragrance and has a golden yellow color after brewing. While Lao Chung Shui Xian (Php520/125 gms) is golden brown in color after brewing and its well-controlled roasting process brings out its natural, wonderful fragrance that lingers in the mouth.

Thinking of a gratifying gift for a tea lover? Choose from one of the four well -known teas in a beautifully presented box, such as the Shui Jin Qui which has faint scent and golden brown color after brewing. Another type is the Tie Lohan which is said to be one of the earliest teas in China and is considered the most popular kind for the early generations of tea drinkers in the Philippines. While the first sip has a quick taste of bitterness, it is followed by sweet taste that dwells in the mouth. Bai Ji Guan or white cock combo has a rich distinct taste and becomes color orange after brewing. The last type is Ban Tian Yho which is full bodied in texture, dense and no trace of bitterness. All of these types has exceptional whiff of lovely fragrance, with a price of Php520 each for 50 grams.

Drop the sachet of instant coffee and replace it with a nourishing tea break. With this age-old beverage, you will never feel guilty about reaching for the teapot. Experience these flavorful and healthy tea selections only from Royal Tea House of the Century Park Hotel