Chapter V · The Brewing: One-page summary — Beyond this, the water is old and cannot be drunk…
"Beyond this, the water is old and cannot be drunk."
Chapter V · The Brewing: Words and things — 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 VI · The Drinking: Commentary — 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: Practice today — For water: mountain spring is best, river water next, and…
"For water: mountain spring is best, river water next, and well water lowest."
Chapter VI · The Drinking: Making — 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: Plain reading — The finest powder is fine as rice-grains; the inferior is…
"The finest powder is fine as rice-grains; the inferior is coarse as water-chestnuts."
Chapter VI · The Drinking: Text and editions — As a beverage, tea began with Shennong, the Divine Farmer…
"As a beverage, tea began with Shennong, the Divine Farmer, and became known through the Duke of Zhou of Lu."
Chapter VI · The Drinking: Terroir — Tea has nine difficulties: the making, the judging, the vessels…
"Tea has nine difficulties: the making, the judging, the vessels, the fire, the water, the roasting, the grinding, the brewing, and the drinking."
Chapter V · The Brewing: Close reading — 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 V · The Brewing: Text and editions — 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."