Ordering Beverages

China's most famous beverage is tea, and rightly so. The Chinese have been cultivating tea for thousands of years, and the methods for processing tea have remained virtually unchanged for hundreds of years.

There are many types of tea within the three main categories: green tea, oolong tea and black tea. Any visit to China or Taiwan is not complete without a sampling of the fine tea that's available.

But tea is not the only drink you can buy. There are all kinds of fruit juices, soft drinks, beers and wines to sample. Non-alcoholic drinks are available at coffee shops and tea stands, and bars and restaurants also serve beer, wine, and liquor.

Many drinks are served sweetened, but you can also order them without sugar (bù jiā táng) or with just a bit of sugar (bàn táng). Coffee is usually served with creamer and bags of sugar on the side. Green tea and oolong tea are usually served without sugar or milk. Black tea with milk is called "milk tea," and may be sweetened according to taste.

Here are some popular beverages you will find in China and Taiwan. Click on the link in the Pinyin column to hear the pronunciation.