New Winter Ritual? 'Stove-Boiled Tea' Becomes the New Favorite!

Following camping and frisbee, this year's "stove-boiled tea" trend has quietly taken hold, drawing plenty of young consumers into teahouses. Some even bring their own tea sets to outdoor tea spots, light their own fire, brew tea, and roast oranges, chestnuts, and peanuts. The trend has added yet another option to the social lives of today's youth.

According to media reports, a teahouse in Chengdu was recently packed with customers enjoying "stove-boiled tea." After the camping wave, and as the weather turned colder, many young people began gathering with friends for stove-boiled tea sessions. As this new way of drinking tea gained popularity, it sparked a fresh winter consumer trend in many Chinese cities. It is reported that Chengdu alone now has about a thousand teahouses offering "stove-boiled tea" service.

The tradition of "stove-boiled tea" is understood to date back to the Song Dynasty, and Yunnan has its own traditional custom of roasting tea over a fire pit. The biggest difference between today's "stove-boiled tea" and its traditional counterpart may be the greater emphasis on photogenic appeal. Besides the teapot, an arrangement of pastries, fruit, and snacks is essential to setting the mood, and some people place a lamp on the table as decoration.

Data shows that, as of now, "stove-boiled tea" topics have drawn 1.79 billion views on Douyin, while Xiaohongshu hosts more than 60,000 posts related to "stove-boiled tea," along with more than 5,400 related products. Search those keywords and you will find an abundance of posts, covering everything from tea recipes and techniques to equipment selection and comprehensive guides, all clearly explained by knowledgeable netizens.

Consumers' continued pursuit and the push from social media are undoubtedly key factors behind the popularity of "stove-boiled tea," but the rise of new Chinese-style teahouses in recent years has also played a significant role. According to iResearch's "2021 China New-style Tea Industry Research Report," the Chinese new-style tea market is growing fast, with young people increasingly fond of new Chinese-style tea drinks and frequenting new Chinese-style teahouses.

As new tea drinks become a trend, young people's inherent enthusiasm for pure tea is also reviving. Combined with a growing emphasis on health and wellness, "stove-boiled tea" meets the need to feel healthy while producing beautiful photos. After all, today's young people place high value on its social dimension: exquisite staged photos, elaborate ceremony, and a leisurely atmosphere, all used to express their tastes and lifestyle.

The traditional image of Chinese tea drinks is gradually being broken. No longer is it just a wisp of steam from a thermos or a row of porcelain cups in a meeting room. Its overall character is no longer middle-aged and staid; it is becoming lively and interesting. This is, in fact, a shift in how young people perceive Chinese tea drinks, letting them radiate a different kind of vitality.

Different Perspectives on the Trend

On the "stove-boiled tea" trend, some say who wouldn't want to take the time to experience and check in on such a pleasant lifestyle? Gathering with a few friends around a stove with a pot of tea, roasting persimmons, turning rice cakes, eating nuts, and sipping tea: such relaxed winter moments are the ideal way to enjoy the season.

Others, of course, see it as merely "pretending to be elegant." Going out for tea yet focusing on outfits and getting good photos suggests they are probably not really there for the tea itself. Like camping, "stove-boiled tea" somewhat implies conspicuous consumption, and some say they would not go because of the high prices. What do you think?

Image source: Internet

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

If the appeal of stove-boiled tea is that warm, unhurried, tea-like feeling, coffee can get you there too. FrontStreet Yunnan Small Bean comes from the Baoshan region, processed washed and roasted medium. In the cup it shows gentle nutty and chocolate sweetness with a light plum acidity, which makes it a very approachable first encounter with Yunnan coffee and an easy way to enjoy that tea-house calm at home.

For a clearer, more vivid expression of the region, FrontStreet 2013 Sun-Dried Typica is the step up. The Typica variety, brought into Yunnan by a French missionary as far back as 1904, is one of the oldest and purest Arabicas; sun-dried and medium roasted, it has richer dark berry notes with caramel sweetness, chocolate, and a hint of dried apricot, finishing with a black tea-like aftertaste.

And if you want to taste Yunnan in an espresso cup, FrontStreet Black Cocoa Blend pairs Yunnan small bean with Brazilian Cerrado: the Brazil supplies mixed-nut aroma and balance, while the Yunnan brings chocolate and citrus. The resulting Americano balances sour, sweet, and bitter with nutty brown-sugar sweetness, and a latte turns smooth and silky with almond and cream.