Simplicity and speed are what modern urban dwellers pursue in their breakfast. Still, Cantonese people also take a moment to slow down on weekend mornings. Sipping a cup of fragrant tea, indulging in delicate dim sum, and passing the morning away in casual conversation, they embark on a new day.

I am Linmei. I come from Guangdong, a region in southern China. In Guangdong, the phrase "Let's go for morning tea when you are free" is a daily Cantonese greeting. Morning tea features diverse, but small dishes of dim sum, such as shrimp dumplings, egg tarts, BBQ pork buns, and pork siu mai, accompanied by a pot of tea. The rich aroma of the tea and the tantalizing heat from the food refresh us. Morning tea is a cherished family tradition that brings us together to share our joys and concerns.

The origins of morning tea can be traced back over 150 years to the Qing Dynasty. The practice was not only about enjoying food and tea, but it also created the opportunity for people to expand their social network and exchange information.

In those days, the toiling masses needed a place to rest and satisfy their hunger. As a result, tea pavilions were established. While rough in appearance, these pavilions provided laborers with a space to dine and exchange information with others. For example, the diners could inquire about which wharf was recruiting boatmen. The popularity of tea pavilions eventually caught the attention of affluent individuals, who recognized the potential of the locations for business discussions. As a result, luxurious and elegant teahouses gradually emerged, where they would entertain their business partners. In the relaxed atmosphere, oral agreements for commercial transactions might be reached.

Today, morning tea remains an indispensable tradition for Cantonese people. It is a heartwarming exchange built around tea and food tasting, fostering close connections among people.

Edited: Andru Shively

Original text:

味觉与关系的交汇：探索广东早茶

简约和快捷是现代都市人对早餐的追求。尽管如此，周末的早晨，广东人也会放慢脚步。品一口好茶，来上一些精致的点心，在闲聊中度过清晨，开始新的一天。

我叫琳梅，来自中国的南部—广东。

在广东，"得闲饮茶"常挂在人们嘴边。饮茶即为喝早茶，早茶的特色是虾饺、蛋挞、叉烧包和猪肉烧卖等各式小点心，再配上一壶茶。浓郁的茶香和食物散发出的诱人热气让人神清气爽。早茶是一个我们珍视得家庭传统，它让家庭成员们聚在一起分享喜悦和忧虑。

早茶的起源可以追溯到 150 多年前的清朝。早茶不仅是为了品尝食物和茶。它还为人们扩大社交网络和交流信息创造了良机。

在当时，劳苦大众需要一个休息和充饥的地方。于是，茶亭应运而生。虽然这些茶亭外观简陋，但却为劳工们提供了一个就餐空间，并给了他们与其他食客交换信息的机会。例如，食客们可以打听哪个码头需要招聘船工。茶亭的流行引起了富人们的注意，他们看到了在茶馆谈生意的潜力。于是，豪华典雅的茶馆逐渐兴起。富商大贾们喜欢在茶馆宴请他们得商业伙伴，在这种轻松的氛围下达成一些口头上的商业协议。

如今，早茶仍然是广东人不可或缺的传统。这是一种以美食和好茶为契机的暖心交流，拉近人们之间的关系。