Chapter III · The Making: Plain reading — Steam it, pound it, press it, roast it, string it…
"Steam it, pound it, press it, roast it, string it, seal it — and the tea is done."
Chapter II · The Implements: Taste and body — The pestle and mortar, also called dui, are best when…
"The pestle and mortar, also called dui, are best when they have long been in constant use."
Chapter I · The Origin: Text and editions — Wild tea is best; that of the garden is inferior…
"Wild tea is best; that of the garden is inferior. On sunny cliffs beneath shady woods, the purple buds are best and the green ones inferior; buds like bamboo shoots are best, slen
Chapter VIII · The Producing Regions: One-page summary — 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."
Chapter VII · The History: Making — When Emperor Hui of Jin, fleeing in the dust, returned…
"When Emperor Hui of Jin, fleeing in the dust, returned to Luoyang, the eunuch presented tea in an earthen bowl to the Son of Heaven."
Chapter VI · The Drinking: Plain reading — Some add scallion, ginger, jujube, tangerine peel, cornel, and mint…
"Some add scallion, ginger, jujube, tangerine peel, cornel, and mint, boiling it a hundred times, or stirring it slippery, or skimming off the froth. This is nothing but ditchwater
Chapter IV · The Vessels: History — 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: Commentary — Some praise tea that is glossy, black, and even —…
"Some praise tea that is glossy, black, and even — that is the lowest judgment. Some praise what is wrinkled, yellow, and uneven — that is a middling judgment. But to call everythi
Chapter II · The Implements: Practice today — 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: Terroir — 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."