Chapter VIII · The Producing Regions: Commentary — 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: Practice today — 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: Terroir — 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: Plain reading — When the water first boils, skim off the film that…
"When the water first boils, skim off the film that rises on the surface, like black mica; drinking it spoils the flavor."
Chapter III · The Making: Taste and body — 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: Text and editions — The chan cloth, also called yi, is made of oiled…
"The chan cloth, also called yi, is made of oiled silk or worn rainwear. It is laid on the cheng base, and the gui mold set upon it to form the tea; when a cake is done, it is lift
Chapter I · The Origin: Misreadings — 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: Terroir — 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
Chapter VII · The History: Plain reading — Wang Meng of Jin loved tea, and pressed it on…
"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.'"
Chapter VI · The Drinking: Taste and body — Those who cultivate tea may grow several hundred clumps; the…
"Those who cultivate tea may grow several hundred clumps; the tree like gualu, leaves like gardenia, flowers like white rose, fruit like palm."