"For water, mountain spring is best, river next, well lowest. Of mountain springs, choose the milky fountains that seep from rocky pools; avoid rushing, churning torrents."
"The buds that sprout from dense thickets, with three, four, or five shoots, are picked by selecting those that rise most boldly."
"The gui mold, also called mo or quan, is made of iron, in round, square, or floral shapes."
"The good and ill of tea rest in the transmitted oral formula."
"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
"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."
"On rainy days do not pick; on clear days with clouds do not pick; only on perfectly clear days pick."
"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
"When the water first boils, skim off the film that rises on the surface, like black mica; drinking it spoils the flavor."
"From picking to sealing there are seven processes; from barbarian boots to frosted lotus there are eight grades."