Six Flavors of Tea in Life: Talking About Life with Tea

Author: Zhang Xiaobai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: Tea is a specialty of China, and the Chinese love drinking tea. China has a history of tea drinking spanning thousands of years. As the saying goes, "Firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea" are the seven most important items in daily life, with tea included among them, showing how highly the Chinese value tea. Tea has deeply integrated into the lives of the Chinese, from daily meals to health and wellness, from tea ceremonies to self-cultivation through tea. Tea has become one of the most distinctive parts of Chinese culture. Although Japan also has tea ceremonies, the true essence of tea radiates the flavor of Chinese civilization. Chinese tea carries the taste of traditional culture within it, or is Chinese civilization so deeply infused with the essence of tea? The Chinese emphasize a single word when drinking tea—"appreciate." Appreciating tea is not only about discerning its quality but also about indulging in contemplation and savoring the experience. The emotions of a person blend with the taste of the tea, which is why it is said that life is like tea. Life is like tea. When the first cup of tea is brewed, the boiling water infuses it, releasing a fragrant aroma, much like the beginning of life, when one steps into the world, with a light yet fragrant taste. The second and third cups of tea resemble life in one's prime, full of striving and challenges, with a rich and refreshing flavor. By the time the tea reaches several cups later, its taste becomes mellow yet slightly astringent with a hint of sweetness, akin to life in old age, where worldly desires fade, and one returns to simplicity. With a calm mind, take a sip of clear tea, savoring the aroma while reflecting on one's own life.