Chapter VIII · The Producing Regions: Vessels and fire — In Zhedong Circuit, Yuezhou is best, Mingzhou and Wuzhou next…
"In Zhedong Circuit, Yuezhou is best, Mingzhou and Wuzhou next, and Taizhou lower."
Chapter VII · The History: Words and things — 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 V · The Brewing: Misreadings — 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 IV · The Vessels: Modern tea science — When it first boils, with fish-eye bubbles and a faint…
"When it first boils, with fish-eye bubbles and a faint sound, that is the first boil; when the rim seethes like linked pearls, the second; when it surges like waves, the third. Be
Chapter III · The Making: One-page summary — The buds that sprout from dense thickets, with three, four…
"The buds that sprout from dense thickets, with three, four, or five shoots, are picked by selecting those that rise most boldly."
Chapter II · The Implements: Making — The cheng base, also called tai or zhen, is made…
"The cheng base, also called tai or zhen, is made of stone; otherwise of locust or mulberry wood, half-buried in the ground so that it will not rock."
Chapter I · The Origin: Plain 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: Misreadings — 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: Modern tea science — 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 VI · The Drinking: One-page summary — 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;