No matter what kind of tea you drink, it should be appropriate for the occasion, time, and person. Drinking the right type of tea can maximize its effects and provide excellent health benefits. Traditional Chinese medicine recognizes that people have different constitutions, being either hot or cold in nature. Teas, after undergoing various processing methods, also have cool and warm properties. Therefore, it is important to consider one's constitution when choosing a tea to drink. A chart showing the properties of the six types of tea. What is your constitution? Which type of tea suits you best? A table matching the nine constitutions with the six types of tea. Cool green tea Dragon Well from West Lake, Anji White Tea, Biluochun from Dongting, Lu'an Guapian, etc. Suitable for those with a hot constitution, high stomach fire, and abundant energy. Drinking this tea on a hot day or when feeling agitated provides a refreshing and cooling sensation. Green tea has good radiation protection effects, making it very suitable for people who work frequently on computers. Contraindications: People with liver disease should avoid drinking green tea, as caffeine is metabolized by the liver, and excessive tea consumption can damage liver function. Pregnant…

The Charm of the Gaiwan A gaiwan is a traditional tea vessel with a long history, consisting of a bowl, a lid, and a saucer. Not only is it elegant in appearance, but it is also highly functional. Using a gaiwan for brewing tea allows better control over the steeping time, maximizing the release of the tea's aroma and flavor. Many people enjoy using a gaiwan because it provides a serene and relaxing experience. (Image source from the internet; please delete if infringing) Steps to Brew Tea with a Gaiwan Prepare the Tea Utensils: First, you need a clean gaiwan, a teapot, and a teacup. Ensure all the utensils are clean so as not to affect the taste of the tea with other impurities. Warm the Utensils: Before using the gaiwan to brew tea, rinse it and the teacup with hot water. This not only cleans the utensils but also raises their temperature, making the brewed tea more fragrant and rich. Place the Tea Leaves: Depending on the type of tea and personal preference, place an appropriate amount of tea leaves into the gaiwan. Generally, less tea is used when brewing with a gaiwan compared to a teapot due to…

With a desire for tea, I rise to brew it. Boiling water in an iron kettle, I slowly pour it over the leaves, and soon the fragrance fills my study, making the surroundings come alive with vibrant energy. The freshly brewed tea is a bit too hot, so I usually wait for it to cool down a bit before drinking, which allows me to better appreciate its subtle flavors. While waiting for the tea to cool, I can quietly admire the beauty of the tea itself. For a long time, I had the habit of drinking the tea immediately after brewing and refilling as needed, without pausing to truly savor it. The rich red tea is poured into a transparent lotus-shaped glass cup, taking on the shape of the vessel. The cup and the tea meet each other, illuminating one another like a lamp in the study, subtly changing the light. Watching the petals of the cup unfold is delightful. Seen against the light, the tea becomes even clearer, and the red color more vibrant. Holding the cup in both hands feels like embracing a liquid warmth. This is akin to Wang Yangming's words: "When you look at this flower,…

For many newcomers, there may indeed be some confusion. After all, the culture of purple clay has continued for hundreds of years, enduring and thriving, playing an increasingly important role in tea culture. This further illustrates that for tea drinkers, a purple clay pot is indispensable tea ware. Many seasoned tea enthusiasts have used purple clay pots from the beginning, and later even purchased dozens of various styles of Yixing purple clay pots. To those unfamiliar with purple clay pots, this may seem quite perplexing! Why do so many people like to brew tea using a purple clay pot? Why is Tea Brewed in a Purple Clay Pot Better? The most direct benefit is that it doesn’t get too hot to handle. Due to the nature of the material, a purple clay pot does not conduct heat easily. Also, because of the unique shape of the pot, one’s hand is less likely to touch the walls of the pot. A purple clay pot can absorb the aroma of tea. The unique material allows a frequently used clay pot to retain the tea fragrance, and the longer the pot is used, the stronger the tea scent it retains. A purple clay…

Tea has a multitude of health benefits, including the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, lowering cholesterol levels, boosting immunity, enhancing antibacterial properties, and aiding in weight loss. Although regular tea consumption is beneficial to the body, choosing the right type of tea based on one's condition can maximize its health effects. When drinking tea, female friends should especially be aware of their constitution and the nature of the tea they are consuming. So what should women pay attention to when drinking tea? Note 1: Drink Tea According to Constitution and Nature of the Tea Chinese tea is divided into six categories: Green Tea, Black Tea (note: this term refers to what is known as 'red tea' in Western cultures), Yellow Tea, White Tea, Oolong Tea, Pu'er Tea. Each category of tea has different properties and thus affects the body differently, so it is important to choose a suitable type of tea based on one's constitution. Oolong tea (also known as greenish-black tea) is neutral in nature and suitable for most people. Pu'er tea is warm in nature and helps eliminate grease, detoxify meat products, and lower cholesterol levels; it is best enjoyed after being stored for some time, which enhances both…

After the onset of autumn, the body's physiological activities change in accordance with the natural environment. Particular attention should be paid to regulating clothing, diet, living conditions, and physical activity. Clothing refers to the principle of “spring covering and autumn cooling.” Although it gets cooler in autumn, do not rush to add more clothes; allow your body to adapt within reasonable limits. Living conditions should include a reasonable sleep schedule. During the autumn, when the air is clear and dry, it is advisable to go to bed early and rise early. It is not recommended to stay indoors all day or sleep with your head covered at night. Windows should be kept open to ensure good indoor ventilation. Physical activity means that autumn is the golden season for strengthening your body through exercise. This helps improve joint and blood circulation flexibility and enhances the body’s resistance to disease. Additionally, cold resistance training can help the body adapt to changing weather conditions. A healthy lifestyle includes one tea, two fruits, three porridges, four soups, five vegetables, six meats, seven grains, and eight medicinal foods. Let's follow this order, starting with the first chapter on drinking tea in autumn. Traditional Chinese medicine…

Most people choose to drink tea, valuing its benefits. However, if you don't drink the right tea, you won't achieve the goal of health preservation. Tea can promote health, but this is under the condition that you select and drink the right kind of tea. You might say, "Do I really have to consider the time and place when drinking a cup of tea?" There's actually some logic to this. If you drink the same type of tea all year round, it means you don't know how to drink tea properly and won't be able to achieve the goal of health preservation through tea. Select Tea According to Your Constitution ▼ Chinese tea is divided into six main categories: green tea, black tea (in the Western sense, known as red tea in China), yellow tea, white tea, oolong tea (also known as blue or qing tea), and dark tea. Each category has different properties and effects on the human body. For example: Green tea is cool in nature and suitable for those with a hot constitution, high stomach fire, and abundant energy. It has excellent radiation protection effects and is very suitable for people who work frequently on computers. White…

Tea, as a treasure of Chinese traditional culture, carries thousands of years of history and culture. Among the many types of tea, Fu tea, brick tea, and dark tea attract countless tea enthusiasts with their unique charm. However, many people are often confused about the relationship between these three. Today, let’s explore the world of Fu tea, brick tea, and dark tea and appreciate their unique flavors. Tea can be divided into six major categories based on its processing method and degree of oxidation: green tea, yellow tea, black tea (in the Western sense), white tea, oolong tea, and dark tea. Dark tea, as one of these, is like a profound and reserved elder, exuding the flavor of time. Dark tea is widely distributed and has a rich variety of types. The “three bricks, three tips, and one flower roll” of Hunan dark tea, the old green brick from Hubei, Tibetan tea from Sichuan, ripe Pu'er from Yunnan, and Liu Bao tea from Guangxi all display unique regional characteristics and production techniques. These varieties of dark tea differ in taste, aroma, and health benefits, satisfying the needs of various tea enthusiasts. Brick tea is a common shape for compressed tea.…

The 7-day Spring Festival holiday has come to an end, and I hope everyone had a pleasant and fulfilling break! Many of you are returning to work today to start the new year. However, after seven consecutive days of feasting and revelry, many people feel uncomfortable on their first day back at work. How can you properly address post-holiday syndrome and greet work and daily chores with the best possible attitude? Here are some tips to help you shake off the fatigue. Three Teas to Alleviate Post-Holiday Syndrome 1. Red Tea for Digestion and Stomach Health After the holiday, the most common feeling is a lack of appetite and discomfort in the stomach. Drinking red tea can aid digestion and regulate the digestive system. It's best to drink red tea after meals. Adding 10 grams of dried hawthorn to red tea enhances its digestive properties; or you can make a rice tea by adding some roasted rice, which increases its stomach-soothing effects. Red tea combined with roasted barley or red tea with dried tangerine peel are also excellent choices. 2. Oolong Tea to Reduce Fat and Remove Grease Oolong tea has a significant fat-lowering and weight-loss effect. The polyphenols in…

Do you know the key elements to consider when buying tea? According to experts, during the purchasing process, you should “squeeze, observe, smell, and taste” to determine the quality of the tea. Let’s take Pu'er tea as an example and explore these tips together! The "squeeze" test is used to determine if the tea leaves are dry. Gently grip the tea leaves with your hand; if you feel a slight prickliness and the leaves crumble easily when lightly pinched, this indicates good dryness. If the leaves do not break even when firmly squeezed, they have become damp and soft, which affects their quality. The "observe" step involves examining the uniformity and appearance of the tea leaves. Leaves that are uniformly shaped and colored are generally better. Teas with high proportions of stems, corners, dust, and impurities will affect the quality of the tea infusion. The aroma of tea is one of the main conditions determining its quality, which can be assessed through "smelling." Different teas have distinct aromas due to their processing methods and levels of fermentation. Green teas are known for their fresh fragrance, while oolong teas have a unique ripe fruit aroma. Black teas carry a caramel-like scent,…

Acquiring a new teapot is always exciting, especially when you intend to use it to brew the perfect cup of tea. However, a new teapot cannot be used directly; it needs to go through the process of initiation and nourishment. This not only removes impurities from the teapot but also enhances its ability to absorb tea aromas. Today, we will discuss how to properly initiate and care for your teapot, ensuring that your new companion shares many more delightful tea moments with you. What is Teapot Initiation? Initiating a teapot refers to the preparatory process before using a new teapot for the first time. By cleaning and initially brewing tea, impurities on the surface of the teapot and residues from the manufacturing process can be removed. This process also lays the foundation for future use of the teapot. Steps for Teapot Initiation Clean the Teapot: Thoroughly clean both the inside and outside of the teapot with water. Do not use any detergents, as they may leave residue in the pot, affecting the taste of the tea. Brew Water to Remove Odors: Place the teapot in a pot and add enough water to completely submerge it. Boil for 20-30 minutes over…

Basic Introduction to Shouning Highland TeaShouning Highland Tea is produced in the highland tea regions of Shouning County, Ningde City, Fujian Province. Judging from its appearance, this tea is made using the Minnan Oolong production process. The tea leaves are plump and have a clear, lustrous color. When brewed, the first infusion has a strong floral aroma with a penetrating quality. The tea liquor is clear and transparent, a light greenish-white color, with a sweet and refreshing taste on the palate. After three infusions, even if the brewing time is extended, there is no bitterness or astringency in the tea liquor, highlighting the unique character of highland tea. This tea is also highly reinfusable; while the floral aroma may not be as prominent in later infusions, a milky fragrance gradually becomes apparent, along with hints of caramelized sugar from roasting. The mouthfeel remains smooth throughout, making it a tea of high production quality. Nutritional Value1. Stimulating Effect: The caffeine in tea can stimulate the central nervous system, helping to invigorate the mind, enhance thinking, alleviate fatigue, and improve work efficiency.2. Diuretic Effect: The caffeine and theophylline in tea have diuretic properties, used for treating edema and hydrops. The detoxifying and…

Is it necessary to inaugurate a new purple clay teapot? A newly made purple clay teapot lacks luster. Inauguration is not mandatory, but it can help remove unwanted odors and clear any residual heat and dryness, so it is recommended. For good black tea, Pu'er tea, aged white tea, and oolong tea, one should pair them with a fine Yixing purple clay teapot, which enhances the ambiance and experience of tea drinking. Many newcomers to the world of teapots are often misled by various inauguration methods found online. In fact, a new purple clay teapot can be used directly after being cleaned with water; there is no need for a complicated inauguration process. Firstly, the master believes that whether inaugurating or nurturing the teapot, one should follow nature and use simple yet effective methods. There are two inauguration methods commonly found online: one involves using tofu placed inside the teapot and then simmered in a pot, while the other replaces tofu with sugarcane, both cooked in a similar manner. Neither method is advisable, in the master's opinion. How to properly inaugurate a teapot? The main purpose of inauguration is to address the residual earthy taste and kiln dust within the…

"Elon Musk is doing something earth-shattering; I'm not that great. But I've maintained a normal income for farmers, which is my contribution, and I am proud of it." On the evening of August 10th, during the CCTV program "Dialogue," Zhong Shanshan addressed issues such as being China's richest man, online attacks, internet traffic, slowness, competition, and succession for the first time in a systematic manner. This statement perhaps best represents Zhong Shanshan's mindset. Moving from selling water downstream to farming upstream, whether it's Gan'nan navel oranges or Yili apples, Nongfu Spring's investments have been unprofitable so far, but Zhong Shanshan remains content. Even though Oriental Leaf has become a super hit, he is still committed to entering the tea industry. Zhong Shanshan sees all this as "strategic losses," but after more than a decade of such losses, it is difficult to explain them solely through commercial logic. The true reason lies within Zhong Shanshan's heart, where there resides an "idealistic madman." The Seven-Year Loss of Oriental Leaf "Our tea has been around since 2012, 2013, and for over a decade, we didn't make any profit for the first six years, but by 2021, our growth curve started to rise." In…

Each type of tea has a specific suitable water temperature for brewing; some types must be steeped directly in boiling water, while others require cooling before steeping, or they will taste unpleasant. However, many seasoned tea drinkers believe that regardless of the type of tea, it should always be steeped in boiling water to bring out its aroma. If you were to say your tea cannot be steeped in boiling water, then sorry, they would immediately assume it is not of good quality. There is indeed a saying: "Good tea isn't afraid of being scalded by boiling water." Is this really true? 01. Why Isn't Good Tea Afraid of Being Scalded by Boiling Water? Judging whether something is "good tea" is subjective for everyone. Good tea is relative, but if we are objective, good tea is determined by good raw materials and good processing methods. If these two conditions are met, the quality of the tea is generally assured. Good raw materials determine that the tea leaves contain abundant substances, are resistant to brewing and can withstand high temperatures without revealing their true colors with just one steeping; good processing ensures stable extraction rates, and if there are issues with…

"The Xihu District of Hangzhou City should earnestly implement the important concept of 'two mountains' put forward by President Xi Jinping and accelerate the industrialization work of Xihu White Tea. Further efforts should be made to speed up the construction of 'Hangzhou standards,' incorporating Xihu White Tea into a high-standard system, achieving precise management of production data and online digital management of labels; realize high-level management by including Xihu White Tea in a sound institutional protection system, strengthening administrative law enforcement and collaborative protection; particularly strengthen high-quality promotion by establishing and improving inspection, testing, and quality management systems, formulating a series of standards for 'one green, one red, and one white.'” This is the suggestion from Li Hong, a member of the CPPCC Xihu District Committee. Tea is the national drink, and Hangzhou is its capital. As one of Hangzhou's 'golden business cards,' the Zhuantang Subdistrict, known as the birthplace of West Lake Longjing tea, has long been referred to as a 'century-old tea town with a myriad-tan tea country.' Tea has become an important carrier for the high-quality development of local agriculture. On the afternoon of August 1st, a thematic consultation activity titled "Promoting the exploration and extension of…

It's often said that the more you drink tea, the more discerning your palate becomes. The term “discerning” here refers to being overly selective, and this trait can be observed in both drinking tea and eating meals. But is becoming more discerning with tea a good thing or a bad thing? Today, Cup Xiaocha would like to hear what tea enthusiasts think. There are two main ways in which one’s palate becomes more discerning with tea. Firstly, the variety of teas consumed increases. For example, one might start by drinking green tea but then gradually explore new flavors, such as black tea, Pu'er, and Oolong. Eating the same dishes every day can indeed become tiresome; regularly changing the menu keeps things interesting. After drinking Oolong tea, there might come a time when one wants to return to green tea, thus continually rotating between different types. Secondly, the quality of tea consumed improves. Quality, simply put, is closely tied to price. When starting with Oolong tea, one might not be able to distinguish between good and bad teas, but over time, their ability to appreciate tea grows. They develop preferences for specific varieties and origins and form their own opinions on…

Tea drinking, much like coffee drinking, can be addictive. Once you experience the joy, you might find yourself engrossed in certain behaviors without even realizing it. How many of these apply to you? Stockpiling tea The desire to stockpile tea is similar to the urge to stockpile groceries. When you finally manage to buy some, why not stock up a bit more? What if it becomes unavailable later on? Or what if the price goes up? And so, you end up with... more tea than you can drink. Buying various teaware A good horse deserves a good saddle, and fine tea deserves beautiful teaware. Longjing tea should be paired with a celadon porcelain cup, Houqiu with a simple Sung-style glass bottle, and Wuyi rock tea wouldn't be complete without a set of gongfu tea ware... Before you know it, your collection of cups and pots has grown exponentially. Your storage cabinet is filled with all sorts of teaware of different shapes, materials, and styles. In a way, these collections represent the various moods of the tea drinker. Feeling an itch to try new teas Chinese tea has strong regional characteristics, and the same leaf can produce countless flavors. For tea…

Traditionally processed oolong teas, such as Wuyi rock tea, Phoenix Dancong, and baked Tie Guan Yin, have good stability after roasting. They do not need to be stored in the refrigerator but can be kept in a cool, dry place instead. Oolong teas are generally safe to store at room temperature since they are fully fermented, and this has little impact on their quality. Dark teas, white teas, Pu'er teas, and aged teas, especially Pu'er, rely on aging for their drinking value. Storing these types of tea in the refrigerator could cause dampness issues and also reduce the activity of beneficial enzymes and bacteria within the tea. It is these enzymes and bacteria that contribute to the tea's flavor development over time. Refrigerating these teas would significantly affect their aging process. These types of teas are best stored at room temperature in a dark, well-ventilated, dry area away from strong odors. Storing them in the refrigerator could lead to mold growth. Should Green Tea Be Refrigerated? Green tea is unique because it is meant to be enjoyed for its fresh and crisp taste. Typically, we only drink green tea from the first flush (before the Ming festival). The tea oxidizes…

Brewing tea can be simple, a pot and a cup are enough to enjoy the charm of tea. Brewing tea can also be elaborate, an elaborate tea setting adds more flavor to tea tasting. "Elaborate" is a sense of ceremony, and it reflects one’s taste. Each utensil has its purpose, so what kind of tea utensils are there on a tea setting? Today, I have compiled a list of tea utensils for you. Let's see what your tea setting might be missing! Basic Tea Utensils Gaiwan: A gaiwan is a teaware consisting of a lid, bowl, and saucer, mainly used for brewing tea. Teapot: A teapot is a vessel with a spout used for brewing and pouring tea, it is one of the tea utensils primarily used for brewing tea. Fairness Cup: This is a utensil used to evenly distribute the tea liquor before pouring into tasting cups. Tasting Cup: A short cup used for drinking tea. Smelling Cup: Used for smelling the aroma, it is taller and thinner than the tasting cup, often used when brewing highly aromatic Oolong teas from Taiwan. Tea Pad: Smaller than a tea tray, used for holding tasting cups and serving tea. Tea Scoop:…