Chapter III · The Making: Misreadings — 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: Modern tea science — 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: One-page summary — 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: Taste and body — 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: Text and editions — 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: Misreadings — 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: Modern tea science — 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
Chapter IV · The Vessels: a close reading of the whole chapter
A close reading of Chapter IV · The Vessels
Chapter II · The Implements: Vessels and fire — The chuan string is made in Jiangdong and Huainan from…
"The chuan string is made in Jiangdong and Huainan from split bamboo, and in Bashan and the gorges from twisted mulberry-bark. In Jiangdong one jin is a large string, half a jin a
Chapter I · The Origin: Words and things — If one takes qini in place of ginseng, none of…
"If one takes qini in place of ginseng, none of the six ailments will be cured. Understand how ginseng may mislead, and the pitfalls of tea become clear."