Han Zheming demonstrates the technique of dian cha for his students. CHINA DAILY

However, the pattern on tea froth will only last for up to an hour.

"It's an evanescent art," says Han, adding that he takes photos of his work as a way of extending its life.

With his increasing input to the art, Han quit his job at the games company in 2019 and has been spreading dian cha culture ever since. He put the process of tea-whisking and drawing on social media platforms, including Little Red Book, Bilibili and Douyin. He has more than 20,000 followers on Little Red Book, and some of his videos have received more than 300,000 views.

To date, more than 100 people have knocked on his door to learn the technique. "They are from all walks of life, but are mostly white-collar workers, and they are all interested in tea," Han says.

Chen Xinxing started to learn from Han in December 2020.

Preparation for the traditional ritual of dian cha involves several steps－tea leaves are ground to powder; mixed with hot water, the tea powder is whisked until froth appears. CHINA DAILY

"I love tea, and when I saw the tea ritual in a TV drama, I got curious," the Shanghai resident says.

Chen met Han at a tea-tasting event. "The Song-style tea tastes magical, beyond description, nothing like I've had before," she says.

Chen immediately signed up for Han's class. So far, she can deliver a decent froth. "I felt it was more about opening a door to traditional culture," Chen says, adding that Han also tells the class about ceramics of the Song Dynasty.

Speaking about his understanding of this tea art, Han says it's "to increase aestheticism" rather than change the essence of tea.

"As well as the poems, calligraphy and paintings that were created back then, I want more people to understand the items used by people to drink tea, and the reasons behind the ways they prepared tea," he says.

Contact the writer at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn