A Gentle Guide to Finding the Tea That Fits Your Nature
Tea is never just about thirst.
When hot water meets tea leaves, something subtle happens:
aroma rises, movement slows, and for a brief moment, the outside world grows quieter.
In traditional Chinese culture, tea has long been associated with character, rooted in【 traditional Chinese tea processing techniques 】recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.Not because it predicts the future, but because what we drink—repeatedly, over time—shapes how we live.
This is why people once spoke of “cultivating fortune through tea”, a concept deeply rooted in the history of 【Chinese tea culture 】Not in a mystical sense, but in a practical one:
by slowing down, refining our senses, and returning to balance.
This article is not astrology, nor a personality test.
We simply use the Chinese zodiac as a cultural lens—
a system traditionally used to describe temperament and rhythm in
【Chinese zodiac culture】
🐭 Rat Born in: 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 Suggested Tea: Pu-erh Tea
Those born in the Year of the Rat are often quick-thinking and adaptable.
Their minds rarely slow down, and much of their energy is spent processing, planning, and observing.
Highly stimulating teas can sometimes amplify mental fatigue.Tieguanyin, known for its elegant orchid aroma and balanced body, offers clarity without sharpness.
It’s a tea that rewards patience—
less about instant stimulation, more about steady focus.
🐮 Ox Born in: 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 Suggested Tea: Pu-erh Tea
Ox personalities value consistency and depth.They are less interested in novelty, more drawn to things that improve with time.
Pu-erh tea mirrors this approach perfectly.Its flavor evolves through aging and repeated brewing, becoming smoother and more grounded.
This is not a tea to rush.
It’s one to grow into.
🐯 Tiger Born in: 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 Suggested Tea: Da Hong Pao (Rock Oolong)
Tigers are energetic, decisive, and naturally driven.The challenge is rarely motivation—it’s moderation.
Da Hong Pao is bold and structured, yet surprisingly controlled when brewed with care.Rather than pushing energy higher, it encourages balance.
Think of it as learning how to guide strength, not amplify it.
🐰 Rabbit Born in: 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 Suggested Tea: Longjing (Dragon Well Green Tea)
Rabbits tend to be sensitive to texture, aroma, and refreshingly direct, widely regarded as one of the most iconic Chinese green teas
Longjing is clean, gentle, and refreshingly direct, widely regarded as one of the most iconic 【Chinese green teas】
A tea that doesn’t ask for attention, but earns it quietly.
🐲 Dragon Born in: 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 Suggested Tea: Phoenix Dancong Oolong
Dragons are known for strong standards and an intuitive sense of quality.
They’re not easily impressed, but deeply appreciative when something resonates.
Phoenix Dancong is expressive and layered, with aromas that shift from cup to cup.
It invites exploration rather than quick judgment.
🐍 Snake Born in: 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 Suggested Tea: Jasmine Tea
Snakes are introspective, perceptive, and aesthetically sensitive.Their minds often run deep—sometimes too deep.
Jasmine tea offers a gentle contrast.Its natural floral aroma softens the edges, engaging the senses without demanding analysis.
A tea that brings lightness to thoughtful moments.
🐴 Horse Born in: 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 Suggested Tea: Silver Needle White Tea / Black Tea
Horses value freedom and momentum.If tea becomes complicated, it’s often abandoned altogether.
Silver Needle white tea is simple and refreshing; black tea is warm and reliable.
Neither requires ceremony—only hot water and a moment.
The best tea is the one you’ll actually keep drinking.
🐑 Goat Born in: 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 Suggested Tea: Lapsang Souchong / White Tea
Goats are emotionally perceptive and inward-looking.They often experience the world through mood and atmosphere.
Traditional Lapsang Souchong, when unsmoked or lightly treated, is mellow and comforting.It pairs well with quiet evenings and reflective moments.
Tea, here, becomes a companion rather than a centerpiece.
🐵 Monkey Born in: 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 Suggested Tea: Citrus Pu-erh / Oolong Tea
Monkeys thrive on curiosity and variety.Routine alone rarely holds their interest.
Citrus-infused pu-erh and aromatic oolongs offer layered flavors that change with each brew.There’s always something new to notice.
Tea, in this case, is an ongoing discovery.
🐔 Rooster Born in: 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 Suggested Tea: Green Tea (Bi Luo Chun)
Roosters appreciate clarity, structure, and precision.
They tend to favor experiences that feel clean and intentional.
Green teas like Bi Luo Chun are direct and aromatic, with no unnecessary complexity.
Elegance, here, comes from simplicity.
🐶 Dog Born in: 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 Suggested Tea: White Peony (Bai Mu Dan)
Dogs value loyalty and stability.
They’re often drawn to things that quietly endure.
White Peony tea is balanced, forgiving, and suitable for daily drinking.
It doesn’t overwhelm, but it’s always present.
A tea that fits naturally into everyday life.
🐷 Pig Born in: 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019 Suggested Tea: Jin Jun Mei Black Tea
Pigs understand enjoyment, but also benefit from gentle structure.
Jin Jun Mei is smooth, lightly sweet, and refined without being showy.
It offers comfort while maintaining a sense of restraint.
A reminder that pleasure can be thoughtful.
Tea has evolved across centuries of cultivation in
【 traditional Chinese tea regions 】
Closing Thoughts
The zodiac is not a definition—it’s a language.Tea is not an answer—it’s a practice.
What matters most is finding a tea you return to,one that creates a small pause in your day,and makes space for attention, warmth, and time.
That, perhaps, is the quiet value of tea.
Hi, I’m Chris — at Hermtea, I gently invite you to walk with me into Chinese tea.
