Chapter VII · The History: Plain reading — Yan Ying, when minister to Duke Jing of Qi, ate…
"Yan Ying, when minister to Duke Jing of Qi, ate only husked-rice meals, with three roast game birds, five eggs, and tea-leaf vegetable."
Chapter I · The Origin: Close reading — The use of tea: its nature is extremely cold, and…
"The use of tea: its nature is extremely cold, and as a beverage it is most suited to men of disciplined conduct and frugal virtue."
Chapter VIII · The Producing Regions: History — 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: Commentary — 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 I · The Origin: Text and editions — 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."
Chapter I · The Origin: History — Tea is a fine and noble tree of the South…
"Tea is a fine and noble tree of the South. It may stand one or two feet tall, or reach many dozens of feet. In the mountain gorges of Bashan, there are trees so thick that two men
Chapter VIII · The Producing Regions: Terroir — In Huainan Circuit, Guangzhou is best, Yiyang and Shuzhou next…
"In Huainan Circuit, Guangzhou is best, Yiyang and Shuzhou next, Shouzhou lower, and Qizhou and Huangzhou lowest."
Chapter VII · The History: Close reading — Among the Three Sovereigns, Shennong the Fiery Emperor; of the…
"Among the Three Sovereigns, Shennong the Fiery Emperor; of the Zhou, the Duke of Zhou Dan of Lu; Yan Ying, prime minister of Qi; and of the Han, the immortals Dan Qiu-zi and Huang
Chapter I · The Origin: One-page summary — Those planted without firm rooting rarely flourish. The method is…
"Those planted without firm rooting rarely flourish. The method is like growing melons: after three years the leaves may be gathered."
Chapter VIII · The Producing Regions: Taste and body — In Qianzhong, teas of Enzhou, Bozhou, Feizhou, and Yizhou are…
"In Qianzhong, teas of Enzhou, Bozhou, Feizhou, and Yizhou are only occasionally obtained, yet their flavor is excellent."