"Sima Xiangru's Fanyang pian lists among drugs wu-hui, jiegeng, yuanhua, kuandong, beimu, mubo, lou, qincao, shaoyao, gui, loulu, feilian, chuan-cha, bailian, baizhi, changpu, mang
"As a beverage, tea began with Shennong, the Divine Farmer, and became known through the Duke of Zhou of Lu."
"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."
"The bei drying-pit is dug two feet deep, two and a half feet wide, and one zhang long. Above it a low wall two feet high is built and plastered with clay."
"For heat and thirst, congested chest, headache, smarting eyes, restless limbs, or discomfort in all the joints — a few sips of tea rival the finest cream and nectar."
"But in towns and noble households, if one of the twenty-four vessels is missing, the tea ceremony is spoiled."
"Wang Meng of Jin loved tea, and pressed it on every visitor; the officials dreaded it, and whenever they meant to call they would say, 'Today we must suffer the water-calamity.'"
"Tea has nine difficulties: the making, the judging, the vessels, the fire, the water, the roasting, the grinding, the brewing, and the drinking."
"Ladle it with a gourd dipper into the bowls. The finest essence — from one sheng of boiling water, it is divided among five bowls."