As the saying goes: “People cherish life; at every seasonal change, one should focus on self-care, with the two solstices being particularly crucial.” These two solstices refer to the summer and winter solstices, both of which are vital periods for health preservation.
After the summer solstice, most regions in our country enter the peak of summer, the most challenging period of heat. Since human metabolism is at its most active during this time, there is a significant increase in consumption, often leading to symptoms such as loss of appetite, dry mouth, excessive sweating, and difficulty sleeping. Those who understand the principles of health preservation will have their own secrets: drinking tea.
Summer: Green Tea
There's a tradition of adjusting tea choices according to the seasons, with the saying: “Spring for floral teas, summer for green, autumn for Oolong, and winter for black.” After the summer solstice, adjustments should be made to one's tea-drinking habits. Generally, after the summer solstice, one should drink green tea.
Green tea has a bitter taste. Due to the ease of getting overheated after the summer solstice, drinking green tea has a cooling effect that can help reduce internal heat and continuously replenish lost fluids. It is recommended to drink green tea in the afternoon, in small amounts but frequently, to avoid overconsumption that could harm the stomach.
There are various ways to prepare green tea, and it is common to use transparent glassware to appreciate the unfolding Beauty of the leaves in the water, known as “watching the tea dance.”
Those with cold stomachs should still drink green tea in moderation and might prefer a small amount of Tieguanyin, which refreshes and invigorates. Black tea and Pu'er tea are fully fermented and have a sweet, warm flavor; drinking them in summer may lead to overheating.
Summer Tea Setting
The seasonal feel of a tea setting should evolve with the times. The taste, elegance, meaning, and ambiance of the tea should harmoniously express poetic functionality, as the saying goes: “Scenery without emotion remains dormant, emotion without scenery is lifeless.” Our spirits flow along with the changing seasons, achieving unity with nature in a Cup of tea.
In terms of tea setting arrangements, summer calls for a particularly calming and refreshing atmosphere. Colors like green, Blue, white, and beige are preferred, with cotton and linen materials ideal for creating a cool ambiance. Delicate, monochrome Teaware adds to the freshness, while flowers like pomegranate and miniature roses emphasize the season.
Nourishing the Heart in Summer
According to the theory of the Zhouyi: summer corresponds to fire and the heart among the five organs. The intense heat of summer often leads to restlessness. Therefore, the focus after the summer solstice is on nourishing the heart.
As the saying goes: “A calm mind naturally cools the body,” so it's important to regulate your emotions and clear your mind of distractions. Tea, imbued with the essence of heaven and earth, naturally aids perspiration and regulates body temperature, making it the best choice for nourishing the heart in summer. In an elegant tea space, experiencing the harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility of tea ceremony, the warmth of the tea brings a sense of inner coolness, allowing the whole person to become calm.
