Chapter I · The Origin: Misreadings — 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: Making — 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: Plain reading — Sima Xiangru's Fanyang pian lists among drugs wu-hui, jiegeng, yuanhua…
"Sima Xiangru's Fanyang pian lists among drugs wu-hui, jiegeng, yuanhua, kuandong, beimu, mubo, lou, qincao, shaoyao, gui, loulu, feilian, chuan-cha, bailian, baizhi, changpu, mang
Chapter VI · The Drinking: Taste and body — 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: Commentary — 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: Practice today — 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: Terroir — 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: Close reading — For heat and thirst, congested chest, headache, smarting eyes, restless…
"For heat and thirst, congested chest, headache, smarting eyes, restless limbs, or discomfort in all the joints — a few sips of tea rival the finest cream and nectar."
Chapter IX · The Omissions: Taste and body — 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: Commentary — 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.'"