Lei cha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lei cha |
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Lei cha (pronounced "lay-chah") is a special drink or thick soup from Southern China. It's also known as ground tea because its ingredients are ground up. This unique food is a big part of Hakka cuisine, which comes from the Hakka people.
Sometimes, Lei cha is called "thunder tea" in English. This is because the Chinese word for "pounded" (which is how the tea is made) sounds like the word for "thunder."
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The Story of Lei Cha: A Look into History
The tradition of making Lei cha is very old! It might have started as far back as the Three Kingdoms period or even the Han dynasty in China.
This special tea is very popular among the Hakka people in Taiwan. When Hakka people moved to other places like Indonesia and Malaysia, they brought the custom of Lei cha with them.
But it's not just the Hakka people who enjoy Lei cha. People in the northern part of Hunan Province in Mainland China also have their own traditional Lei cha. So, there are two main kinds of Lei cha in China: Hakka Lei cha and Hunan Lei cha.
Lei cha is different from regular Taiwanese tea because it always has other ingredients mixed in. It's a blend of tea leaves and herbs, ground together with roasted nuts, seeds, grains, and different flavors.
How Lei Cha is Made: A Step-by-Step Guide
While you can sometimes buy Lei cha that's already made, it's usually prepared fresh right before people want to eat or drink it. This way, it's as tasty as possible!
What Goes Into Lei Cha?
Lei cha is made from a mix of different things. Here are some common ingredients:
- Tea leaves: Any type of tea can be used, but Green tea or Oolong are the most common. Sometimes, finely ground matcha (a type of green tea powder) is used because it's easy to mix.
- Roasted nuts, beans, and seeds: The most popular ones are peanuts, mung beans, and sesame seeds. Other examples include soybeans, pinenuts, Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, Lentils, and lotus seeds.
- Roasted grains: These can be cooked or puffed rice, or wheat.
- Herbs and flavors: Things like ginger and salt are often added for taste.
- Herbal additions: Sometimes, special Chinese herbal medicine ingredients are included because people believe they are good for health.
The Grinding Process
All these ingredients are ground into a fine powder. This can be done using a food processor, or with traditional tools like a mortar and pestle. Some people use a large clay bowl and a wooden stick to grind everything down. The goal is to make a powder that looks like fine cornmeal.
Once the powder is ready, it's put into a serving bowl. Then, hot water is stirred into it. This creates a thin, soup-like drink or gruel.
Enjoying Lei Cha: When and How to Eat It
People often drink Lei cha for breakfast. It's also a popular choice on cold winter days because it's warm, tasty, and healthy.
Lei cha can also be a full meal. When it's served this way, it comes with rice and other vegetarian side dishes. These might include green vegetables, tofu, or pickled radish. In Malaysia, a type of Lei Cha called Khai Lang Lei Cha is a popular street food.
Traditionally, Lei cha has a savory (not sweet) taste. But these days, you can also find sweet versions of the drink.
Today, Lei Cha is often served as a main dish for lunch or dinner. Families gather around a big round table to enjoy this special meal together.
Where Lei Cha is Popular
You can find Lei cha in many areas, including:
