Tea, this ancient and magical beverage, carries boundless charm and depth. Through my affinity with tea, I gradually grew to love drinking it after initially being involved in its production. Over time, this became a habit that I could not easily part with, nurturing a unique sentiment towards tea. Within the plain cup of tea lies an aroma that seems to penetrate one's very core; its distinctive fragrance threads its way into the depths of one's soul. On quiet nights, gently brewing a cup of tea, I watch as the transparent liquid transforms into an amber hue, observing the dried, curled leaves slowly unfurl in the water as if reborn, gradually becoming plump and smooth, revealing a fresh green hue once again. This process evokes a sense of rebirth, a revival and awakening of emotions. I have a particular fondness for tea. In my eyes, the subtle shade of fresh green is far more charming than the bustling, colorful world. I appreciate the gentle sensation, temporarily stepping away from the noisy crowd, walking briskly, confident and carefree. Bathing alone in sunlight or sitting quietly under moonlight, unbound, self-reliant, and without restraint, my thoughts take flight like wings, soaring higher and…

The Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine) states that "the lungs govern the skin and hair." With each breath we take, the lungs, through their function of dispersion, distribute vital energy and body fluids throughout the body to nourish the skin and hair, maintaining normal skin metabolism. If there are issues with the lungs, they often manifest through our skin. For example, dull skin without luster, roughness, and enlarged pores... To nourish the lungs and beautify the skin, according to the principle of "five colors correspond to five organs," there is a saying that "white nourishes the lungs." Mentioning white, tea enthusiasts immediately think of white tea. Silver Needle White Tea, made from tea buds, stands out among all white teas as particularly charming. Some describe it as "green snow bud" and call it the beauty among teas. Besides its high aesthetic value, Silver Needle is also rich in nutrients, with amino acid content reaching up to 9%. Its polyphenol content is also high, and after being stored for a year, it becomes richer in flavonoids. Silver Needle is not only widely recognized and consumed by the general public; its components' effects have been researched by countries…

Water is the mother of tea, and the vessel is its father. To brew a good cup of tea, both the choice of water and the brewing vessel are crucial. What kind of tea ware should you choose when brewing Pu'er tea to best present its characteristics?A fine cup of tea is the result of a harmonious interplay between the tea, water, and vessel. When selecting tea ware, practicality should be the primary consideration, followed by aesthetics and overall coordination. There are various types of tea brewing vessels, made from materials such as porcelain, clay, and glass, in different shapes, including teapots and covered bowls. Today, we will introduce some commonly used tea wares for brewing Pu'er tea. 1. Covered Bowl (Gaiwan) A covered bowl, also known as a gaiwan, is a three-piece tea ware set consisting of a lid, bowl, and saucer. Mr. Lu Xun once said, “To enjoy good tea, one should use a covered bowl.” Gaiwans are widely used and are often referred to as "versatile tea wares," suitable for brewing almost any type of tea. White porcelain gaiwans do not absorb the aroma of the tea, have good heat dissipation, are easy to control and clean,…

Why is Water Temperature So Important for Lapsang Souchong? Lapsang Souchong is a unique type of black tea, beloved by tea enthusiasts for its distinctive aroma and flavor. However, brewing Lapsang Souchong is not as simple as pouring hot water; the temperature plays a crucial role. The right temperature maximizes the release of the tea's aroma and taste, allowing you to enjoy a perfect cup of black tea. (Image source: network, delete upon request) The Optimal Water Temperature for Brewing Lapsang Souchong The optimal water temperature for brewing Lapsang Souchong is typically between 90°C and 95°C. This temperature range fully releases the aromatic compounds and polyphenols in the leaves, resulting in a richly fragrant and full-bodied tea. If the water is too hot, it can destroy the delicate compounds in the leaves, leading to a bitter taste; if the water is too cold, it cannot adequately extract the active ingredients, making the tea bland and tasteless. (Image source: network, delete upon request) How to Control the Water Temperature Use a Thermometer: The most direct method is to use a thermometer to ensure the water temperature is between 90°C and 95°C. Observe the State of the Water: If you don't have…

How can Pu'er shengcha be brewed to taste better? Today, we will demonstrate using this example of Banshan Pu'er shengcha from old trees. This Banshan tea is made from old tree leaves and originates from a tea region in Ning'er County, Pu'er City, Yunnan Province. During the Qing Dynasty, the Banshan tea region was a royal tribute tea garden. The overall ecological environment here is excellent, with high mountains and dense forests, making the tea rich in internal substances. This tea is produced almost every year and has a very good taste-to-price ratio. A significant feature is that it is pressed by hand using a stone mill. Pu'er tea cakes pressed by hand with a stone mill are moderately tight, have beautiful tea strands, and are conducive to aging. The most prominent taste characteristic of Banshan Pu'er tea is its clarity and sweetness, smoothness, and distinct floral and fruity aromas. We can use a conventional brewing method for this tea. We'll brew it in a gaiwan. Before brewing, we'll warm the cup, which significantly enhances the aroma of the tea. Next, add the tea. The tea strands of this tea are relatively intact. We're using 8 grams of tea. The…

Tea contains oxalic acid, especially strong tea, which has a higher content. Many people in daily life prefer strong tea, believing that is the true way to enjoy tea and not waste it. However, because of its high oxalate content, strong tea may lead to hyperoxaluria in the urinary tract, potentially forming calcium oxalate stones. In severe cases, it can even cause kidney stones. Some also say that regularly drinking strong tea can trigger hypertension. This is because tea contains caffeine, which can raise blood pressure, causing symptoms such as dizziness and headaches when consumed in strong teas.   For example, drinking green tea can stimulate excessive secretion of stomach acid, diluting gastric juices and affecting normal digestion of food. If digestive issues persist for a long time, symptoms like bloating and abdominal pain may appear, or even duodenal ulcers could develop. Additionally, regularly consuming tea, particularly strong tea, can overexcite the nervous system, leading to a faster heartbeat. Drinking tea before bed, especially strong tea, can cause poor sleep quality or insomnia. What Problems Can Arise from Regularly Drinking Strong Tea? 1. Regular consumption of strong tea promotes osteoporosis. Tea contains a relatively high amount of caffeine, which can…

Xiaoxinggan Pu'er tea is loved by tea enthusiasts due to its unique production method and its compact size. Its distinctive taste and refreshing fruity aroma are also highly sought after. But do you really know how to store it properly? Let's explore the correct storage methods for Xiaoxinggan Pu'er tea. Correct Storage Methods for Xiaoxinggan Pu'er Tea: (1) Store in a sealed, shaded, and dry environment; Xiaoxinggan Pu'er tea is sensitive to light. If exposed to light for an extended period, it can cause an optical reaction within the tea, leading to oxidation and a reduction in flavor. Therefore, it should be stored in a dimly lit area away from direct sunlight. Dried Xiaoxinggan must be sealed and stored in a clean, dry, uncontaminated, and non-humid environment. This is because the oily substances on the outer surface of the tangerine peel are prone to evaporation. On humid days or in damp weather, if not sealed properly, the peel may soften or even mold. We recommend storing Xiaoxinggan Pu'er tea in food-grade sealed bags or containers, which makes it convenient to observe the condition inside and promptly deal with any potential issues such as mold. (2) Protect against moisture, pests, and…

For the average consumer, few have a comprehensive understanding of the entire pile fermentation process for ripe tea, mainly because the stability of the microbial community in the fermentation workshop is so valuable that it is often treated as confidential by tea factories and strictly off-limits to visitors. Secondly, even if one could enter for a tour, it would be difficult to conduct a follow-up study of each step, as the entire pile fermentation cycle lasts several days and includes different stages such as watering, turning piles, and ditching, making it a complex system. Moreover, since the decisive role in pile fermentation is played by invisible microorganisms, it does not resemble modern manufacturing with standardized procedures and quantifiable metrics but is more like a technology guided by empiricism. From controlling the temperature in the workshop to timing the turning of the piles, many steps in pile fermentation lack quantifiable standards, and the success or failure of each fermentation relies heavily on the experience and adaptability of the fermentation master. Today, Lu Li will take fellow tea enthusiasts through the general process of pile fermentation. Selecting the Fermentation Site The site is crucial for pile fermentation. As water is applied during…

The shelf life of tea is not clearly defined, and it varies for different types of tea. For example, black tea can be stored for 2 to 3 years; green tea and yellow tea are typically best consumed within 18 months; oolong tea can be stored for 3 to 5 years; and dark tea and white tea, if properly preserved, can last around 15 years. There are six main categories of Chinese tea, each with its own storage duration. Do you know how long they can be stored? The Shelf Life of the Six Types of Tea 1. Green Tea: The shelf life of green tea is the shortest. Generally, at room temperature, it has a shelf life of about one year. If you have a dedicated refrigerator for storing green tea (which would make you quite the tea connoisseur), the shelf life can be extended to around 18 months. 2. Black Tea: As a fully fermented tea, black tea has a relatively long shelf life and can be stored for more than two years. However, if stored properly, it may undergo transformation after two years. If this transformation is successful, it can be stored for even longer periods. 3.…

In this fast-paced era, everyone seems to be carrying a heavy burden, rushing along the tracks of life. Some hustle for the warmth of their families, some strive for the shores of their dreams, and others struggle in the minutiae of daily life. We are like trains that never rest, day after day, shuttling between two points, while our souls often slumber in fatigue. But don't forget, besides striving, life also has poetry and distance, and there is that unexpected scent of tea that can gently awaken our sleeping souls. Tea, a beverage that has been associated with leisure since ancient times, is not just a way to quench thirst; it is also an attitude towards life, a cherishing of beautiful moments. I remember a casual chat with a friend, who casually said, "Once I've learned the guzheng well, we'll play music and drink tea together, sharing that tranquility and harmony." I laughed, but my heart was stirred. Yes, why wait for some uncertain future moment? Why not let this beauty happen now? So, we decided right then and there to brew a pot of good tea, letting the aroma and laughter intertwine into the most moving melody. In that…

Mi Di tea has finer twists, many buds, a yellow-green broth, and distinct bitterness and astringency, with the bitterness more pronounced than the astringency. The bitterness transforms into a sweet aftertaste, and there is a hint of orchid fragrance in the tea aroma. Despite its low yield, Mi Di tea is of high quality and favored by many tea enthusiasts. So how is Mi Di Pu'er tea produced? The Production Method of Mi Di Tea 1. Withering: This process allows for the loss of some of the moisture in the fresh leaves. During the moisture loss, some aroma compounds are formed, and some large-molecule ester-soluble sugars are hydrolyzed into small-molecule water-soluble sugars. 2. Fixation: The raw material used for Pu'er raw tea is Yunnan large-leaf sun-dried green tea. Sun-dried green tea is often pan-fired. Due to the high moisture content of the large-leaf variety, fixation must combine covering and shaking to ensure uniform moisture loss and quickly deactivate enzyme activity at high temperatures to prevent oxidation of polyphenols. Some of the moisture is also evaporated, making it easier to roll the leaves into strips. 3. Rolling: This breaks down the cells of the tea leaves to ensure that the tea…

The main goal is to improve the soil condition, increase nutrient availability, and create favorable conditions for tea plant growth, with tasks including soil cultivation, weeding, fertilization, and moisture retention. I. Garden Cultivation Reasonable cultivation is an important measure to improve the soil condition in tea gardens, which can enhance the micro-ecological environment of the soil and provide good conditions for the growth and development of tea plants, improving their vigor. 1. Shallow Cultivation and Weeding The purpose of shallow cultivation in tea gardens is to remove weeds, loosen the surface soil, and improve the micro-ecological environment of the surface soil layer. The depth of shallow cultivation is generally around 5 cm, and it can be combined with top-dressing and soil mounding. It's also essential to clear weeds and brambles around the tea garden promptly. For young tea gardens that are not yet closed row, cultivation should be done whenever weeds appear, requiring six to seven weedings per year. Since the root system of young tea gardens does not penetrate deeply in the planting year, shallow cultivation before the high-temperature season should be done early to avoid drought immediately after cultivation. For mature tea gardens, cultivation is divided into spring,…

First Article: The Coordinate Varieties and Three Aromatic Types of the Yiwu Tea Region (click to read); Second Article: Dongguan Warehouse, Kunming Warehouse, Hong Kong Warehouse, Flavor, White Frost, and the Issue of "Warehouse Making" (click to read); Third Article: The Warehousing Cycle for Yiwu Green Bud Tea (click to read); Fourth Article: Storing Pu'er Tea: Pursuing Famous Mountains or Quality (click to read)? Fifth Article: What Are the Differences Between Small Heap Fermentation, Large Heap Fermentation, and the Pu'er Evolution Theory's Ripe Tea Technology? The following is Part Five, focusing on small heap fermentation, large heap fermentation, and the Pu'er Evolution Theory's ripe tea technology. Li Yang: Next, let's talk about ripe tea. Because the last tea we tasted has taken us into another context, jumping into ripe tea. I'm not saying that this is necessarily historical fact, but we can view ripe tea as an attempt to mimic aged tea. If we have the opportunity, we can taste some very old teas and find them excellent, but when you try to make something like that, you realize it would take a lifetime. In such a situation, can we use technical means to directly present certain aspects of aged…

Ha / bi / tu / al / ly / br / ew / ing / st / rong / tea To brew a cup of tea with moderate concentration, one generally needs to carefully control the steeping time. Some people prefer strong tea, but if the tea is too strong and releases too much caffeine and tannic acid, it can be overly stimulating to the stomach and intestines. This is not good. St / ee / pin / g / te / a / fo / r / to / o / lo / ng With a normal amount of tea leaves, it's best to drink the tea within one minute of steeping, with some teas requiring only a few seconds or up to ten seconds before they are ready to be poured, and should not be steeped for too long. By this time, 80% of the caffeine and 60% of other soluble substances have been extracted. If steeped for too long, the tea will become bitter and astringent. Br / ew / in / g / te / a / wi / th / a / th / er / mo / s / pot Tea is best…

There are many teapot enthusiasts, but not all of them know how to protect their purple clay teapots. The maintenance of a purple clay teapot is particularly important, as it serves not only as a collectible but also has practical uses. Therefore, it's crucial to take good care of your purple clay teapot. 1. Fear of Dropping Purple clay teapots are especially afraid of being dropped. For ceramic products, once broken, they cannot be restored to their original state— even if repaired using techniques like copper riveting or kintsugi, the result will only be a kind of imperfect beauty. So how can you prevent dropping? When pouring tea, place another finger on the lid knob or lid, and avoid large movements. Keep the teapot in hand during the process of pouring tea, as many lids fall off during this time. Avoid imitating the tricks that teapot sellers perform, such as lids that don't fall off or lids standing upside down over the spout. These are deceptive gimmicks that could accidentally ruin your cherished teapot, resulting in a loss that outweighs any gain. Place the teapot in high places or inside cabinets where children can't reach it, and do not let…

How vast can a cup of tea be? It's no more than a teacup. When it comes to the necessities of life—firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea—it represents daily living. When it comes to the refined pursuits of life—music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, liquor, and tea—it signifies elegance. Sometimes, however, it's simply a painting within the mundane world. The essence of plants, recognizing tea by its aroma, is akin to meticulous brushwork. Drinking tea has always been a leisurely affair, much like detailed brushwork that outlines the most delicate curves of a leaf. A person who is perpetually busy would not have the heart to drink tea. The preciousness of tea has never been about being high and mighty. It doesn't require wealth but rather, time. It doesn't demand expertise in tea ceremony or knowledge of its etiquette; instead, it merely wishes for people to witness its youthful appearance in its single, earnest blooming. Thus, how could one bear to neglect the unique flavors of each brew amidst their hustle and bustle? A fine cup of tea needs someone with both time and heart to appreciate it fully. A tea plant's youth is entrusted into the hands…

Some marketing gurus have summarized four essentials for successful companies. First, a unique cultural system; second, authoritative certifications and certificates; third, numerous success stories and positive reviews; fourth, the ability to innovate and develop continuously. These four points are theoretically universal, but Chinese ingenuity transcends the norm. Now, when you visit many marketing-oriented companies, from the corporate culture displayed at the entrance to case presentations, authoritative certificates, and innovative research and development, all are seamlessly integrated into the decor. It's so perfect that all you need to do is pay. Even TikTok live streams use the same narratives. Regardless of the product being just over a dozen dollars, what you see and hear always makes it seem like a great value. The tea industry takes this marketing theory to new heights. If you doubt this, open TikTok; no other industry sells products with as much cultural flair and convincing performances. Various masters and famous mountain teas are constantly introduced, and the key point is that they're often cheap, frequently available for $19.90 per pound with free shipping. And yes, there are beautiful women in exotic costumes to catch your eye. You wouldn't feel ripped off even if you were to…

There's a popular saying about white tea: "One-year tea, three-year medicine, seven-year treasure." White tea can be divided into new and aged white tea based on the duration of storage: New white tea is that year's freshly picked and processed tea, while aged white tea has been stored for several years, acquiring distinct characteristics of an older tea. However, distinguishing between new and aged white teas can be challenging. Today, we will compare the appearance and quality of one-year new tea, three-year aged tea, and seven-year aged tea to help you discern and appreciate them. Appearance of One-Year New Tea Naturally spread out, with plump and upright buds; mostly intact leaves with slight breakage; clear and complete bud and leaf structure. The leaves display natural hues of gray-green and light green, with a fresh luster. The beautiful contrast of light blue on the top and white on the bottom of the leaves is visible. Abundant, soft silver-white downy hairs; fragrant with a fresh floral and downy aroma. Quality The liquor of new tea is bright and pale almond yellow in color, with a particularly fresh, sweet taste. Appearance of Three-Year Aged Tea The integrity of three-year aged tea is slightly…

After the Laba Festival, the New Year atmosphere gradually thickens. At this time, tea shops in the capital also enter their peak season. Long queues for purchasing tea reappear in front of many old-established tea houses. Why do ordinary people concentrate on buying tea at the end of the year? On the one hand, it is to keep it for entertaining distinguished relatives and friends who come to celebrate the New Year; on the other hand, it is to prepare it as a gift when visiting during the New Year. However, when giving tea as a gift, we not only need to consider quality but also packaging issues. For a long time, we have had a misunderstanding that plain-packaged tea is fine for personal consumption, but if it’s a gift, it seems a bit lacking. To cater to such consumer psychology, the tea packaging available on the market can be said to be dazzling and varied. Taking the material of tea caddies as an example, metal ones are common, and hardwood ones are not uncommon. Some, to highlight their grade, wrap real leather around the outside of the tea caddy, and some even inlay them with jade. Frankly speaking, the…

It's spring tea season once again. Whenever the tea season comes around, we often hear about "spring tea." What exactly is spring tea? Why is it so highly regarded in the tea industry? Spring tea is made from the buds and leaves of tea trees that have emerged after their winter dormancy. The tea buds accumulate abundant organic substances during their winter dormancy. In addition, the moderate temperatures and sufficient rainfall of spring result in plump, nutrient-rich tea buds. The freshness, fullness, and balance of spring tea are extremely high. In particular, the first flush of spring tea embodies the essence of the entire spring season. Characteristics of Pu'er Spring Tea After a winter's hibernation, tea trees store more energy and nutrients due to their slow growth. Moreover, the growth of tea trees in winter primarily occurs at the roots, where amino acids are produced and then transported to the tips of the tree—the tea buds. Amino acids are crucial for the synthesis of aromatic compounds. In terms of appearance, spring tea has fresh leaves with a lustrous color, thick and small leaves with fine veins, and not very noticeable serrated edges. There are many fine hairs on the leaves.…