Chapter IV · The Vessels: Words and things — 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 VII · The History: Words and things — 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 II · The Implements: Words and things — The zeng steamer is made of wood or earthenware, narrowed…
"The zeng steamer is made of wood or earthenware, narrowed at the waist and sealed with clay. A bamboo tray serves as the grate, tied with bamboo strips. When steaming begins, the
Chapter IV · The Vessels: Words and things — For water, mountain spring is best, river next, well lowest…
"For water, mountain spring is best, river next, well lowest. Of mountain springs, choose the milky fountains that seep from rocky pools; avoid rushing, churning torrents."
Chapter VII · The History: Words and things — In the Jin, Lu Na, governor of Wuxing, when Xie…
"In the Jin, Lu Na, governor of Wuxing, when Xie An came to call, set out only tea and fruit."
Chapter II · The Implements: Words and things — The ying — also called lan, long, or ju —…
"The ying — also called lan, long, or ju — is woven of bamboo. It holds five sheng, or one, two, three dou; the tea picker carries it on the back when gathering leaves."
Chapter I · The Origin: Words and things — The finest ginseng grows in Shangdang, middling in Baekje and…
"The finest ginseng grows in Shangdang, middling in Baekje and Silla, and inferior in Goguryeo. That grown in Zezhou, Yizhou, Youzhou, and Tanzhou is useless as medicine — let alon
Chapter IV · The Vessels: Words and things — For one sheng of boiling water, use one fangcun-spoon of…
"For one sheng of boiling water, use one fangcun-spoon of tea powder. If you like it thin, reduce it; if you crave strength, increase it."
Chapter VII · The History: Words and things — 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 I · The Origin: Words and things — 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."