Chapter VII · The History: One-page summary — 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: Vessels and fire — 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: Words and things — 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: History — 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."
Chapter II · The Implements: Commentary — The cheng base, also called tai or zhen, is made…
"The cheng base, also called tai or zhen, is made of stone; otherwise of locust or mulberry wood, half-buried in the ground so that it will not rock."
Chapter I · The Origin: Practice today — Its tree resembles the gualu; its leaves the gardenia; its…
"Its tree resembles the gualu; its leaves the gardenia; its flowers the white rose; its fruit the palm-nut; its stem the clove; its root the walnut."
Chapter VIII · The Producing Regions: Vessels and fire — In Lingnan, teas of Fuzhou, Jianzhou, Shaozhou, and Xiangzhou are…
"In Lingnan, teas of Fuzhou, Jianzhou, Shaozhou, and Xiangzhou are occasionally obtained, and their flavor is excellent."
Chapter VII · The History: Words and things — Zuo Si's poem The Doting Daughters reads: 'Their hearts race…
"Zuo Si's poem The Doting Daughters reads: 'Their hearts race for the tea, they puff and blow upon the tripod.'"
Chapter VI · The Drinking: History — Alas! Heaven nurtures all things, and each has its utmost…
"Alas! Heaven nurtures all things, and each has its utmost subtlety. Yet what men labor at is only the shallow and easy. They dwell in houses, and houses are refined to the utmost;
Chapter V · The Brewing: Commentary — When the water first boils — with bubbles like fish…
"When the water first boils — with bubbles like fish eyes and a faint sound — that is the first boil. When bubbles rise along the rim like a linked string of spring pearls, that is