Nowadays, the Tea culture is thriving, and all sorts of peculiar tea-related activities emerge endlessly, which is quite interesting to ponder. If we categorize different types of tea-related activities, there are at least four beauties in tea.
① The Beauty of Vulgarity
Don't underestimate the expertise among ordinary people. Sitting in a taxi stuck on a smoggy highway, one's irritability seems to echo with the incessant honking outside. At this moment, the driver twists open his thermos cup, and an intense Jasmine fragrance instantly fills the small cabin. “Wow, that smells great! Is it around 400 RMB per kilo?” “Nope, more like over 500. I'm always rushing around outside, so I need to drink something good…” For a while, the driver savors his tea happily, and the passenger enjoys the scent contentedly. In fact, tea-related activities can be both vulgar and elegant. This scene, which happens every day in various corners of the city, perfectly illustrates the beauty of vulgarity in tea.
② The Beauty of Rationality
Some tea enthusiasts are very particular about the quality of tea. They focus on factors such as tree species, processing techniques, authenticity, grade, primary brewing tools, the three essentials of tea brewing, water fragrance, mouthfeel, leaf base, and so on. Various physical and chemical terms permeate the entire tea tasting process. Their dedication to learning about tea is no less than that of scientific researchers conducting experiments. Through these tea-related activities, they fully experience the beauty of discovery and persistence, rediscover their curiosity, and enjoy the pleasure of learning. In this cultivation-like learning process, their thinking becomes increasingly rigorous, and their minds become increasingly clear. It can be said that they fully enjoy the rational beauty of tea.
③ The Beauty of Luxury
The vessel is the father of tea. Some people love tea so much that they also develop a fondness for various tea utensils. Hand-woven embroidered mats, agarwood tea trays, exquisitely crafted old iron pots, Teapots made by famous artisans, limited-edition tasting cups… The tea table is filled with exquisite items, each one a masterpiece, luxurious enough to elicit admiration. Of course, beautiful utensils alone are not enough; you also need good tea, excellent brewing skills, and true Respect for tea, people, and events. Tea advocates simplicity in practice, while utensils are admired for their splendor. These two elements complement each other beautifully. This is the luxury beauty of tea.
④ The Beauty of Ritual
Some people emphasize the rituals and spiritual essence in tea-related activities. Before engaging in tea activities, they must first wash their hands, take a bath, change their clothes, and engage in a transcendent interaction with the tea. Their movements are ethereal, their words vague, with many psychological suggestions. At the most emotional moments, participants may even shed tears, and tea tasting becomes a secondary matter. At this point, tea is no longer just a beverage, and terms like “tea ceremony” or “aesthetics” seem insufficient. It is more akin to psychological therapy or performance art—so long as it allows the mind to find peace, it is considered good. This can perhaps be called the ritual beauty of tea.
The world presents myriad phenomena, and tea-related activities exhibit a variety of forms. Whether right or wrong, it can probably be summed up with a popular internet saying: As long as you're happy, it's all good.