by Xinhua writers Zhang Xuan, Nemanja Cabric
BELGRADE, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- "I have always loved Chinese tea culture and visited many places in China, but I never expected to enjoy authentic Hangzhou Longjing green tea right here in Serbia," said a Polish tourist identified as Emilia.
A self-professed tea enthusiast, Emilia was pleasantly surprised when she stumbled upon a "new Chinese-style" tea shop in Belgrade, the Serbian capital. "The tea leaves slowly unfurl and bloom like flowers in delicate cups. The whole process is incredibly elegant. I absolutely love the experience," she said.
Opened in 2024 near Knez Mihailova Street, a bustling pedestrian zone in central Belgrade, the shop, named "Tea Talk," has become a social media sensation. From shaved ice desserts served in traditionally patterned ceramic ware and paper cups adorned with ink-wash calligraphy to creative drinks featuring panda-shaped sweets alongside traditional ingredients such as red dates and goji berries, every detail reflects the charm of Chinese culture.
Shop owner Zhang Ruoqi, a graduate of China's Jingdezhen Ceramic University who previously taught ceramics in Singapore, sees her venture as more than just a beverage business.
Europeans are developing a deeper and evolving appreciation of Chinese tea culture, she said. By blending traditional tea, Chinese aesthetics, and ceramic art, Zhang aims to create youth-oriented and innovative drinks within an "experiential and accessible" cultural space.
"Serbia already has a long-standing coffee and afternoon tea culture," Zhang explained. "When we introduced Chinese tea, people started coming not just to drink tea, but also to talk about its aroma and flavor and admire the beauty of the teaware. These conversations naturally lead people to share life stories."
To deepen this engagement, the shop hosts a range of cultural events, including Hanfu (traditional Chinese attire) try-ons, tea ceremonies, and movie nights, helping local customers gain a better understanding of Chinese culture.
It was a movie night that first brought local resident Aleksic to the shop. As he put it, he "came for the movie, but stayed for the tea."
"After watching 'Farewell My Concubine,' I developed a strong interest in Peking Opera and hope to visit China one day," Aleksic said, adding that the shop's unique combination of visual, culinary, and cultural experiences sets it apart in Belgrade.
Meanwhile, another tea house in central Belgrade, "T-Element," is offering a different perspective on Chinese tea culture through the experience of a Russian expatriate.
Owner Leonid Nikitin speaks fluent Chinese and has been fascinated by Chinese tea since 2002. Since his first trip to China in 2006, he has visited the country at least twice a year, traveling to historic tea-producing provinces such as Yunnan, Fujian and Guangdong to study traditional tea-making techniques.
"Through communicating with Chinese tea sommeliers and studying traditional techniques in tea-producing regions, I came to understand the true essence of tea culture," Nikitin said. "Tea is not merely a ceremony or a social gathering; it is an integral part of everyday life."
His shop serves as an archive of his tea-centered journeys around the world. While it offers teas from Southeast Asia, Japan and Georgia, nearly half of its shelf space is devoted to Chinese varieties, including Pu'er, Anxi Tieguanyin and Fuding white tea, alongside porcelain, glass and Yixing clay teaware.
"Chinese tea culture spans thousands of years, but in Serbia, many people still mistakenly believe that tea is primarily medicinal," Nikitin said. "I want to introduce the rich flavors and cultural depth of Chinese tea and help more local people appreciate its unique charm."
As more Chinese tea houses open their doors, tea drinking is quietly emerging as a new lifestyle trend in Serbia.
"This subtle and gentle form of cultural exchange helps foster understanding, friendship, and mutual appreciation among people from different countries," said Tang Dasheng, cultural counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Serbia. He noted that the growing popularity of "new Chinese-style" tea in Europe demonstrates how cultural products can serve as a bridge for innovative cross-cultural communication. ■