Chapter V · The Brewing: Text and editions — Ladle it with a gourd dipper into the bowls. The…
"Ladle it with a gourd dipper into the bowls. The finest essence — from one sheng of boiling water, it is divided among five bowls."
Chapter IV · The Vessels: Misreadings — The fu cauldron is made of raw iron. Its inner…
"The fu cauldron is made of raw iron. Its inner mold is clay, so the inside is smooth and easy to scour; its outer mold is sand, so the outside is rough and endures the flame."
Chapter III · The Making: Modern tea science — Tea is gathered in the second, third, and fourth months…
"Tea is gathered in the second, third, and fourth months."
Chapter II · The Implements: One-page summary — The ying — also called lan, long, or ju —…
"The ying — also called lan, long, or ju — is woven of bamboo. It holds five sheng, or one, two, three dou; the tea picker carries it on the back when gathering leaves."
Chapter I · The Origin: Making — It has five names: cha, jia, she, ming, and chuan…
"It has five names: cha, jia, she, ming, and chuan."
Chapter VIII · The Producing Regions: Text and editions — In Zhedong Circuit, Yuezhou is best, Mingzhou and Wuzhou next…
"In Zhedong Circuit, Yuezhou is best, Mingzhou and Wuzhou next, and Taizhou lower."
Chapter VII · The History: Misreadings — Shennong's Classic of Food says: 'Long use of cha and…
"Shennong's Classic of Food says: 'Long use of cha and ming makes a person strong and gladens the spirit.'"
Chapter V · The Brewing: Terroir — Tea is frugal by nature; it should not be used…
"Tea is frugal by nature; it should not be used too lavishly, for overuse dims its flavor."
Chapter IV · The Vessels: Close reading — When it first boils, with fish-eye bubbles and a faint…
"When it first boils, with fish-eye bubbles and a faint sound, that is the first boil; when the rim seethes like linked pearls, the second; when it surges like waves, the third. Be
Chapter III · The Making: Vessels and fire — The buds that sprout from dense thickets, with three, four…
"The buds that sprout from dense thickets, with three, four, or five shoots, are picked by selecting those that rise most boldly."