Experts on Drinking

Author: Tang Dabin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: Tea and wine are ancient friends, but their temperaments are utterly opposite. One is gentle, magnanimous, like a scholarly man of deep affection, while the other is boisterous, fierce, like a man of noble spirit. Tea is internal energy, lacking a noisy exterior and an exuberant posture. A shallow pour releases a fragrant aroma, the clear and refreshing air slowly flowing, fostering friendship and conversation. Tea embodies the shy and gentle warmth of inner emotions. Wine, when consumed, can produce intense stimulation. Tea has a soothing penetration, seeping into every pore, gradually generating a comforting effect. Some people prefer wine, some prefer tea, and some enjoy both, not by deliberate choice but by natural inclination. The habit often stems from innate nature. Wine becomes richer with age, while tea is fresher and more fragrant. Wine values age, tea values freshness. Sometimes, a low-grade fresh tea is better than a high-grade aged tea from the previous year. A cup of tea, brewed multiple times, reveals a completely different flavor: first light, then fragrant, followed by sweet and bitter, and finally tasteless. The essence of tea is "harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility." "Harmony" refers to peace and serenity; "respect" means reverence and mutual respect; "purity" denotes cleanliness and freshness; and "tranquility" signifies seclusion and stillness. People living in modern society are often busy, rarely possessing the leisurely disposition of ancient times. However, if everyone could maintain a serene and modest mindset, as one does when drinking tea, and treat others with such a spirit, chaos would be far from life. The Tang Dynasty poet Yuan Zhen wrote a famous seven-character poem titled "Tea" (also known as the "One-Seven Style"):
Tea. Fragrant leaves, tender buds.
Admired by poets, loved by monks.
Grinding white jade, weaving red silk.
In a small pot, the golden flowers bloom.
Invited by the moon at night, greeted by the morning sun.
Washing away the fatigue of ages,
Who could boast of intoxication before?
This is the mystery of tea and Zen.
Wine is a versatile spirit, fiery like fire, cold as ice; lingering like a dream, cruel as a demon; soft like silk, sharp as a steel knife. It is omnipresent, infinitely powerful. It is admirable and pitiable, deserving of praise and condemnation. It can inspire people to transcend worldly suffering, unleash creativity, and live unrestrainedly. It can also lead people to plunge recklessly into the depths, strip away masks, reveal true selves, and speak the truth. Many renowned scholars have offered profound insights on tea and wine appreciation, which we have compiled into this book, allowing you to experience the subtleties of tea and the essence of wine.
This book is a collection of essays by experts on drinking, featuring seventy pieces of prose, including: "Chinese People and Tea," "Literary Perspectives on Tea," "Tea and Friendship," "Tea Drinking," "On Bitter Tea," "First Taste of Beauty's Tongue," and more.