Green Tea

The behavior of sinking tea leaves is quite telling; it can provide a rough indication of the quality of the tea, though this is not always definitive. If the water temperature for brewing green tea is high, the tea will sink quickly; if the water temperature is low, the tea will sink slowly. The reason is simple: higher water temperatures make it easier for the tea to unfurl, meaning it can expand quickly. When the tea fully integrates with the water, it sinks. When the water temperature is low, the tea has not fully expanded and is still dry and not sufficiently wet, so it sinks slowly. Aside from water temperature, there could be inherent reasons as well. If the tea quality is poor, with fewer internal substances, it will be lighter and thinner, causing it to sink more slowly. Consider tea made from the first spring harvest using plump buds, which would be rich in internal substances, heavy, and substantial, and thus would sink quickly. It's also possible that the brewing method is incorrect, where the tea was not fully submerged at the beginning, leaving some floating on top and not touching the water, causing it to sink slowly.…...

Introduction: Okinawa, originally named Ryukyu, was a vassal state of China during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The name "Ryukyu" was given to the archipelago by the Chinese during the Ming Dynasty. Historically, Ryukyu maintained close cultural exchanges and maritime trade with China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asian countries. Nearly transparent Okinawan sea In the mid-17th century, after the transition from the Ming to the Qing dynasty, the Qing dynasty became the ruler of China. In its relations with Ryukyu, the Qing dynasty continued the tributary system established by the Ming dynasty. With the increasing frequency of exchanges between Qing China and Ryukyu, the method of infused tea preparation also spread from Fujian to Ryukyu and became popular there in the early 18th century. The 18th-century Gongfu tea drinking methods and utensils that were transmitted from Fujian to Ryukyu have since become the basic model for Ryukyu Infused Tea. In 1718 (57th year of the Kangxi era), Xu Baoguang traveled to Ryukyu as a vice envoy for the investiture mission. Due to typhoon weather, he stayed in Ryukyu for nearly a year before returning to China. During his stay, he extensively researched local customs and social conditions, leaving behind the…...

## Abstract: China's Douyun Maojian tea is a high-quality green tea from Douyun City, Guizhou Province, with a widespread origin story. This article analyzes the historical background, cultural connotations, production techniques, taste characteristics, value and benefits, and market development of Douyun Maojian tea to illustrate its history, culture, and modern value. Please bear with any limitations or errors (personal views; April 2024). **Keywords:** China; Tea culture; Douyun Maojian; Historical and cultural aspects; Modern value  *Image source: Network* ### I. Historical Background of Douyun Maojian Tea #### 1.1 Origin and Legends China's Douyun Maojian tea is a high-quality green tea from Douyun City, Guizhou Province, with widely circulated origins and legends. It is said that the legend of Douyun Maojian tea can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty. According to legend, there was a master of tea studies named Lu Yu who discovered a type of tea tree in the Douyun area during his travels in Guizhou. This tea tree grew at higher altitudes, with thick, tender buds that were fine, uniform, and covered in prominent downy hairs. Lu Yu praised this tea highly, considering it of excellent quality. He made tea from these leaves, finding the taste exceptional.…...

Xiaoxinggan requires a rinse before steeping. Before you start, prepare a pot of boiling water and tear open the cotton paper wrapping of the Xiaoxinggan. Remove the Xiaoxinggan and place it in a gaiwan. Pour boiling water over it and immediately pour out the water; this is considered rinsing the tea. The rinse time should not be too long, generally no more than 5 seconds. After rinsing, you can proceed with the formal steeping and finally enjoy the tea. Many people are curious about whether the first steep of Xiaoxinggan needs a rinse. In fact, the first steep of Xiaoxinggan still requires a rinse. My suggestion is that the first two steeps can be directly discarded, which helps to wash away impurities in the tea. After removing the outer packaging of the Xiaoxinggan, lift off the lid and pour in boiling water. After about 3 seconds, quickly pour out the tea water. For the second steep, pour in boiling water again and let it sit for 3-5 seconds before pouring out the tea soup. Starting from the third steep, allow a bit longer steeping time, which will help the tangerine peel absorb water fully and release its essential oils and…...

Litchi, also known as lychee, is loved for its sweet and fragrant flesh. The entire fruit is a treasure trove of medicinal value. For instance, litchi seeds can help regulate qi flow, dispel cold and stagnation, and relieve pain. Litchi shells are known to alleviate heatiness in the body to some extent. A lady's laughter through a cloud of red dust; none would know it was due to litchis coming—Du Mu, "Passing by Huaqing Palace (Three Quatrains, First)" Eat three hundred litchis daily, I would not mind being a southerner forever—Su Shi, "Eating Litchis" In May in the south, litchis are as red as cinnabar, each one round like a dragon's pearl—Liu Zuman, "Litchi" Many tea enthusiasts also love litchis but may wonder which teas pair well with them. In fact, litchis have a strong compatibility and can be paired with many foods, producing unique effects. With tea, you can try pairing litchis with black, white, or green tea—all of which work well. Here are the benefits of combining litchis with tea: Litchi Black Tea—Beauty and Detoxification Litchis contain vitamins A, B1, and C, as well as pectin, free amino acids, proteins, and elements such as iron, phosphorus, and calcium.…...

There are two types of teapot enthusiasts: those who love duanni, and those who do not. For those who dislike it, a moment's inattention can result in the pot looking grubby and even blackened in places. This instantly sours their appreciation, leaving them to rue their decision to purchase a duanni teapot.However, once a duanni teapot has been nurtured, its transformation is remarkable and exceptionally beautiful, evoking a deep sense of affection. This aesthetic pleasure and sense of achievement are likely only fully appreciated by those who adore duanni. As such, many teapot aficionados have a love-hate relationship with it.Duanni is essentially a coexisting deposit of green and purple clays. In the local dialect of Yixing, "duan" sounds like "tuan," hence why duanni is also called tuanni. Its light color means that improper care can lead to noticeable stains, which polarizes opinions—those who love it, love it deeply, while those who don't feel entirely indifferent.In "Seeing or Not Seeing" by Cangyang Jiacuo, he writes, "You see, or you do not see me; I am there, neither sad nor joyful." Similarly, duanni remains unchanged regardless of whether one likes it or not, unaffected by external preferences or personal emotions. The beauty…...

Maojian tea is one of the famous green teas in China, with the main varieties including:Taihu Maojian: Produced around Tai Lake in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, it is one of the representative varieties of Maojian tea. Its leaves are slender and emerald green, with a fresh aroma and a refreshing taste. Anji Bai Maojian: Grown in Anji County, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, this is a type of white-hairy Maojian tea. The leaves are slender and light green, with an elegant, fresh fragrance and a sweet, refreshing taste. Yan Tea Maojian: Cultivated in Wuyi City, Fujian Province, this is a type of rock tea. The leaves are flat and dark green, with a unique aroma that includes notes of charcoal and fruit, and a rich flavor. A common method for brewing Maojian tea is as follows: Prepare the tea utensils: It's recommended to use a glass cup or a transparent covered bowl when brewing Maojian tea, so you can observe the unfolding of the leaves and the change in color of the infusion. You will also need the tea leaves, a strainer, and hot water. Water temperature and water quality: The brewing water temperature for Maojian tea is generally between 70°C and 80°C.…...

Life is short, and we should enjoy it while we can, indulging in poetry and wine. Having a persistent hobby is indeed fortunate. If this hobby also benefits our health and well-being, it couldn't be more fitting. Drinking tea is one of life's most delightful hobbies. Once you fall in love with it, it becomes a lifelong companion. To drink tea healthily and consistently over the long term, turning it into a consistent health practice, consider the following tips. How to Drink Tea for Better Health 1. Green Tea + Chrysanthemum Tea Green tea contains aromatic compounds that dissolve fat, eliminate greasiness, and prevent fat accumulation in the body. Vitamin B1, Vitamin C, and caffeine promote gastric juice secretion, aiding digestion and fat reduction. Saponins also help slim the figure. Additionally, green tea increases the metabolism of fluids, nutrients, and calories, reducing fat buildup in the body. Chrysanthemum tea effectively relieves fatigue caused by excessive festivities and refreshes the palate, diminishing the greasy aftertaste of food. 2. Rose Hips + Rosemary Rosemary is used as a spice in Western cuisine. Drinking rosemary tea can alleviate bloating and abdominal distension caused by consuming too many fatty foods during the holidays and…...

Tea, as a traditional Chinese beverage, carries profound cultural significance and is an indispensable part of daily life. However, when we enter the tea market and face the myriad varieties of tea, prices vary widely, leaving many wondering: how much does tea cost per pound? Today, let's delve into the mystery and uncover the secrets behind tea prices. Factors Determining Tea Prices Origin: The origin of tea is one of the critical factors influencing its price. China has numerous famous tea-producing regions, such as West Lake Longjing, Yunnan Pu'er, and Anxi Tieguanyin, where tea often commands higher prices due to their unique geographical environments and climatic conditions that are ideal for tea cultivation. Variety: The variety of tea also affects its price. Different tea plant varieties have varying growth cycles, leaf sizes, aromas, and flavors, all of which influence the price of tea to some extent. Picking Time: The picking time of tea leaves is equally important. Generally, spring teas are of the best quality and thus command the highest prices. Summer and autumn teas have lower quality and are correspondingly cheaper. Processing Method: The processing method of tea is complex, involving steps such as fixation, rolling, fermentation, and drying.…...

Drinking tea for health has become the choice of many office workers. The purple clay teapot is a commonly used tea utensil, but what kinds of tea are suitable for brewing in it? Does it have anything to do with the shape and size of the teapot? In fact, when using a purple clay teapot for brewing tea, apart from considering the type of clay used, you can also make choices based on the capacity and characteristics of the teapot's shape. So, what kinds of tea are suitable for brewing in a purple clay teapot? What rules should be followed? Black Tea: West Beauty Teapot, Rongtian Teapot The common feature of the West Beauty Teapot and the Rongtian Teapot is their large belly, deep body, and plump, round shape, which can fully bring out the aroma of black tea without damaging the leaves. As the color of black tea infusion is relatively dark, it is suitable to use darker colored clays such as Tianxing clay, blue-gray clay, or Dicaoqing clay for making the purple clay teapot. Oolong Tea: Duozhi Teapot, Dragon Egg Teapot Most oolong teas expand significantly after brewing, so teapots with slightly larger mouths, like the Duozhi Teapot,…...

Tea is an extremely common beverage in people’s lives. In addition to its many preventive effects against human diseases, it also has antibacterial and antiviral properties. As early as over 1,000 years ago during the Tang and Song dynasties, Chinese medical texts recorded numerous instances where tea could kill bacteria and stop dysentery. Early medical books contain many compound formulas for treating dysentery and cholera. With the continuous advancement of scientific research, the antibacterial and antiviral effects of tea have gradually been revealed, and they have achieved good application results in areas such as drug development, food preservation, and daily chemical products. ☀ Inhibitory Effect of Tea on Influenza Virus The components in tea, such as tea polyphenols, catechins, and theaflavins, have shown significant inhibitory effects on influenza viruses and possess potential pharmaceutical development value. ☀ Inhibitory Effect of Tea on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus that infects human immune system cells. Research has found that when the concentration of EGCG is greater than 10 μmol/L, it can reduce the affinity of viral protease for its substrate. Derivatives of theaflavins can be considered as candidate microbicides to prevent the transmission of HIV, with pharmaceutical development…...

Impacted by a moderate-strength El Niño event, and superimposed on the backdrop of global warming, the global average temperature in 2023 may break the record for the warmest year set in 2016. It is expected that temperatures in most regions of China will be close to or higher than the long-term average this winter through to next spring, but with active cold air phases. Precipitation in southern regions is expected to be above normal, increasing the risk of compound meteorological disasters. Given these complex climate changes, timely management of tea gardens during winter can help them safely overwinter and lay a foundation for high-quality tea production and increased income for tea farmers in the coming year. So how should we manage tea gardens in winter? Follow along as we look at the winter and spring tea garden management technical guidelines developed jointly by the Department of Plant Industry Management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the National Agricultural Technology Extension Service Center, and the Expert Advisory Group for Tea of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. 1. Disaster Prevention 1.1 Preventing Frost Damage Monitor weather forecasts closely. Before a cold wave, implement frost protection measures such as…...