Students sipped tea and learned about traditional Chinese culture Monday as a part of OU’s International Education Week.

Chinese professor Yanrong Qi hosted the traditional Chinese tea ceremony and educated attendants about tea in Chinese society, the different types of tea and how it is consumed.

Traditionally, tea is not mixed with sugar or creamer, and loose tea leaves should be used, Qi said. She said drinking tea has always been a very important part of Chinese culture and is often done at family gatherings, weddings and other special occasions.

“Traditionally, the lower rank serves tea to the upper rank as a sign of respect,” she said.

Tea can be enjoyed in one’s house or in a tea house, Qi said. Drinking tea is a very social activity, and friends or family will often drink tea and chat for the majority of the day, she said.

“Tea should not be drank to quench one’s thirst,” she said. “It is said that the taste of tea is the taste of life. First it may be bitter but will grow sweeter with time and experience.”

International business sophomore Cao Hui said she thought the presentation was amazing and that Qi presented the Chinese culture well.

“Foreigners, especially Americans, should know about the Chinese culture,” Hui said. “This was a great presentation to share that, and the tea was really good, too.”