Chapter VI · The Drinking: History — 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 IV · The Vessels: Modern tea science — Ladle it with a gourd into the bowls, so that…
"Ladle it with a gourd into the bowls, so that the foam is evenly divided. The foam — the froth — is the flower of the soup."
Chapter III · The Making: One-page summary — From picking to sealing there are seven processes; from barbarian…
"From picking to sealing there are seven processes; from barbarian boots to frosted lotus there are eight grades."
Chapter II · The Implements: Making — The bei drying-pit is dug two feet deep, two and…
"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."
Chapter I · The Origin: Plain reading — Picked out of season, made carelessly, adulterated with wild weeds…
"Picked out of season, made carelessly, adulterated with wild weeds, drinking it brings illness. The harm of tea, too, is like that of ginseng."
Chapter IX · The Omissions: History — But in towns and noble households, if one of the…
"But in towns and noble households, if one of the twenty-four vessels is missing, the tea ceremony is spoiled."
Chapter VII · The History: Modern tea science — In the Search for the Supernatural: Xia Houkai died of…
"In the Search for the Supernatural: Xia Houkai died of illness; his kinsman Gou Nu, who could see spirits, watched him come to fetch his horse and afflict his wife. Wearing a flat
Chapter VI · The Drinking: One-page summary — 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: Making — 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 IV · The Vessels: Plain reading — For tea bowls, those of Yuezhou are best, Dingzhou and…
"For tea bowls, those of Yuezhou are best, Dingzhou and Wuzhou next; of the Yuezhou type, Yue is finest, then Shouzhou and Hongzhou."