Chinese tea drinks

Author: Yu Yue, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-01-01
Features: Tea appreciation is not only a means of self-cultivation and spiritual enlightenment, but its aesthetic charm is also difficult to put into words. The art of tea requires fine tea, pure water, living fire, exquisite utensils, and leisurely mood—none of these can be missing. From this, one can derive spiritual enjoyment of beauty. Evaluating famous teas is an enjoyment in itself. Each region's famous teas have their own unique charm: Tieguanyin has the "Guanyin fragrance" of dense orchid-like aroma, Fenghuang Dancong has the "mountain charm" of natural floral fragrance, Wuyi Rock Tea has the "rock charm" of rock-like texture and floral aroma, Dongting Wulong has the "throat charm" of rich and mellow taste, Taiping Hongkui has the "wind charm" of sweet and fresh flavor, Longjing Tea has a mellow and fragrant aroma, Biluochun has a clear aroma and elegant taste, and so on. The shape and color of the tea leaves in the tea soup after brewing also bring a high aesthetic value. When Junshan Yinzhen is brewed, each needle-shaped tea tip stands vertically upright, then falls vertically down repeatedly, as if fishing in the water, and finally clusters at the bottom of the cup, resembling spring bamboo emerging from the ground or chrysanthemums in full bloom—a truly extraordinary sight in the world of tea. The choice of tea utensils also adds to the pleasure of tea appreciation. Using thin eggshell white porcelain tea utensils to brew Biluochun, the tea aroma is fragrant and the soup is clear, as if thin clouds are gazing at the moon or misty fog is floating. Using a covered teapot to brew scented tea, lifting the lid to inhale the aroma, the soup color is bright; as the flowers unfurl, their fragrance is rich and intoxicating. Of course, to enjoy these pleasures of tea appreciation, one must not only understand the quality characteristics of tea, the types and features of tea utensils, but also master the techniques and procedures of brewing tea. Once these are learned, even at home with simple utensils, we can brew and appreciate fine tea. Drinking tea is not just about observing the color of the tea, inhaling its aroma, and savoring its soup—not just about the "charm that touches the soul" or the "gentle breeze clearing away worldly dust." More importantly, it is about deriving a moment of life's reflection from a cup of tea, discovering its unique essence, and understanding the true meaning of life. In a word: "Enjoy every cup of tea."