Chapter II · The Implements: History — The stove should have no chimney; the cauldron should have…
"The stove should have no chimney; the cauldron should have a lipped rim."
Chapter I · The Origin: Commentary — As for the ground: the finest tea grows in shattered…
"As for the ground: the finest tea grows in shattered rock, the middling in gravelly loam, and the inferior in yellow clay."
Chapter VIII · The Producing Regions: Close reading — In Jiannan Circuit, Pengzhou is best, Mianzhou and Shuzhou next…
"In Jiannan Circuit, Pengzhou is best, Mianzhou and Shuzhou next, Qiongzhou next, and Yazhou and Luzhou lower."
Chapter VII · The History: Vessels and fire — 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 VI · The Drinking: Words and things — Winged creatures fly, furred creatures run, and those with mouths…
"Winged creatures fly, furred creatures run, and those with mouths speak — all three dwell between heaven and earth and live by drinking and eating. How far-reaching is the meaning
Chapter IV · The Vessels: Misreadings — 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: Modern tea science — Tea takes a thousand forms. To speak roughly: some are…
"Tea takes a thousand forms. To speak roughly: some are like barbarian boots, puckered and shriveled; some like the chest of a wild ox, ribbed and draped; some like clouds rising f
Chapter II · The Implements: One-page summary — 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: Making — 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 IX · The Omissions: Words and things — As for the making tools: if at early spring, during…
"As for the making tools: if at early spring, during the cold-food days, one gathers with many hands in a wild temple or mountain garden, steaming and pounding on the spot, then dr