Chapter I · The Origin: a close reading of the whole chapter
A close reading of Chapter I · The Origin
Chapter VIII · The Producing Regions: Taste and body — In Shannan Circuit, Xiazhou is best, Xiangzhou and Jingzhou next…
"In Shannan Circuit, Xiazhou is best, Xiangzhou and Jingzhou next, and Hengzhou lowest."
Chapter VI · The Drinking: Commentary — For tea of rare freshness and rich fragrance, pour but…
"For tea of rare freshness and rich fragrance, pour but three bowls; for that of the second grade, five. With five guests, serve three bowls; with seven, five. With fewer than six,
Chapter V · The Brewing: Practice today — When roasting the tea, beware of roasting over a windy…
"When roasting the tea, beware of roasting over a windy ash-fire, where leaping flames make the heat uneven. Hold it near the fire and turn it again and again, until bumps rise lik
Chapter IV · The Vessels: Terroir — For one sheng of boiling water, use one fangcun-spoon of…
"For one sheng of boiling water, use one fangcun-spoon of tea powder. If you like it thin, reduce it; if you crave strength, increase it."
Chapter III · The Making: Close reading — On rainy days do not pick; on clear days with…
"On rainy days do not pick; on clear days with clouds do not pick; only on perfectly clear days pick."
Chapter II · The Implements: Vessels and fire — The zeng steamer is made of wood or earthenware, narrowed…
"The zeng steamer is made of wood or earthenware, narrowed at the waist and sealed with clay. A bamboo tray serves as the grate, tied with bamboo strips. When steaming begins, the
Chapter I · The Origin: Words and things — Those planted without firm rooting rarely flourish. The method is…
"Those planted without firm rooting rarely flourish. The method is like growing melons: after three years the leaves may be gathered."
Chapter VIII · The Producing Regions: Practice today — In Jiannan Circuit, Pengzhou is best, Mianzhou and Shuzhou next…
"In Jiannan Circuit, Pengzhou is best, Mianzhou and Shuzhou next, Qiongzhou next, and Yazhou and Luzhou lower."
Chapter VII · The History: Terroir — Sima Xiangru's Fanyang pian lists among drugs wu-hui, jiegeng, yuanhua…
"Sima Xiangru's Fanyang pian lists among drugs wu-hui, jiegeng, yuanhua, kuandong, beimu, mubo, lou, qincao, shaoyao, gui, loulu, feilian, chuan-cha, bailian, baizhi, changpu, mang