Tea has been an important part of Chinese culture for centuries and has been the subject of many literary works throughout Chinese history. Focusing on the most historical part, here are some references to a couple of classic texts:
“The Tea Classic” (Cha Jing 茶經): This is one of the most famous essays on tea. Written by Lu Yu, a Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) scholar and tea enthusiast. The book covers a wide range of topics related to tea, including its history, preparation, and the necessary utensils. Of great influence on Chinese tea culture, it is considered the first writing of timeless relevance.
You have more information here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Classic_of_Tea
“Record of Tea” (ChaLu 茶录): This is a book on tea written by Cai Xiang, a poet and scholar of the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE). The book covers a wide range of topics related to tea, including its history, customs, and the utensils associated with its preparation. He is known for his lyrical prose and vivid descriptions.
You have more information here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Record_of_Tea
These are the two most relevant ancient texts at a literary level, although there are other less important works, which are nonetheless interesting for understanding the importance of tea culture in ancient Chinese society.
For example, works like “The Tea Fragrance Poems” (Chashui Lanting Ji) by Liu Yuxi, a Tang Dynasty poet, celebrate the beauty and pleasures of tea.
On the other hand, we have “The Classic of Tea” (Cha Shuo) by Hui Yuan, a scholar and tea master of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 CE), who begins to talk about the history of tea, compiling methods for its preparation in detail.
These are just a few relevant examples of the many works of ancient Chinese literature that have been written about tea as a symbol of refinement, hospitality, and friendship.