Door

“Mud door” is a term often heard by enthusiasts of purple clay teapots. What does it mean? Simply put, it's a term used to describe the density or tightness of the particle distribution in the clay body of a purple clay teapot after firing. Low density is referred to as loose mud door, while high density is called tight mud door. Specifically, it relates to the preparation of the clay, the use of a slicking tool, and the pot-making technique. When identifying whether a teapot is fully handmade or semi-handmade, checking if the tightness of the mud door is consistent inside and outside the pot is one of the key methods. In brief, a fully handmade teapot is formed by hand using a bamboo paddle, so the characteristic of the mud door on the body is tight on the outside (surface) and loose on the inside (interior). The particles on the outer surface are densely distributed and become even tighter after the application of a slicking tool. However, the inner wall has not been pressed hard by hand but rather lightly shaped, so the particle distribution in a fully handmade teapot is relatively loose, meaning the mud door appears loose.…

   Tea basket is a type of container. Lu Guimeng of the Tang Dynasty wrote a poem titled “Tea Basket,” which includes the lines, “The golden knife splits the emerald bamboo, woven like slanted waves.” From this, we can infer that a tea basket was a bamboo-made tea utensil with a slanted weave pattern. The term “tea cottage” mostly refers to the small thatched hut where tea people lived. In his poem “Tea Cottage,” Pi Rixiu of the Tang Dynasty wrote, "Perched on the sunny cliffs, this humble abode is alive and vibrant for days. Red water is drawn from the shed, and firewood and bracken are roasted before the hearth. After the old man grinds the tea, the middle-aged woman takes a break from pounding tea. Facing each other as they close the wooden gate, the fragrance fills the mountains under the moon." The poem depicts the arduous process of tea-making by the dwellers of the tea cottage, including roasting, grinding (crushing), boiling, and pounding tea. In ancient times, people used a charcoal stove to boil tea. Since the Tang Dynasty, the stove used for boiling tea was commonly referred to as a “tea stove.” According to the biography…

Like other collectibles, purple clay teapots also have "levels," akin to the "primary market" and "secondary market" of stocks. Depending on the cost of the work and the customer base, the quality and price can vary. Generally, they can be divided into four levels: Economical and Practical Practical items are aimed at the general public for use in tea houses and ordinary households. They are characterized by simplicity, elegance, and practicality, with prices that can be settled for a few hundred yuan. Purchasing such a teapot is like walking into a simple but clean and tidy little restaurant with the words "affordable for the working class, good value for money" posted above the door. As long as you're there to satisfy your hunger, you won't feel anxious. However, today's common people's aesthetic standards are rising. Practical products can also be made exquisite, gradually approaching higher standards, and those not adapting to market demands will eventually be eliminated. Suitable for Appreciation and Use This category usually comes from skilled craftsmen, and prices are often influenced by the author's professional title level, ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of yuan. The craftsmanship is relatively fine, making them suitable for both…

Driving for a little over an hour from Quanzhou, Fujian, you arrive at Xiping Town, Anxi County—the birthplace of Tieguanyin. Xiping was once known as Qipeng, named after the mythical great roc said to have rested here. After passing through the town, we entered the winding mountain roads, our car like a fish swimming upstream into a sea of green. Looking out the window, tea fields stretched as far as the eye could see, terraced hills and sprawling plots in various shapes and sizes. Upon entering Nanyan Village, the air was filled with a fresh, invigorating tea fragrance. Taking a deep breath, every nerve and cell relaxed. When we arrived at Taishanlou, the annual Nanyan Tieguanyin Tea King Competition was entering its final round. The villagers held their breath, intently watching the courtyard. In the center stood a large tea table, about four to five meters long, on which ten white porcelain lidded jars were lined up horizontally, each corresponding to a numbered sample from 1 to 10. Staff took samples from the jars, weighing them according to standard procedures before placing them into the jars. Facing each jar, three white porcelain tea cups were arranged in a vertical row,…

On August 15, which coincided with the second National Ecological Day, the Lonlin Court issued a judicial protection order for ancient tea trees and organized a series of activities including extensive legal publicity and visits to tea companies. These actions further embodied the principle that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets. The issuance of the judicial protection order reinforces the legal barrier for the protection of ancient tea trees. The wild ancient tea trees in Lonlin are widely distributed, dense, old, and numerous, making them an essential component of the ecosystem and playing a unique role in maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity. To fully leverage the law's functions of punishment, deterrence, guidance, and evaluation, the Lonlin Court took advantage of the second National Ecological Day to issue the "Lonlin Autonomous County People's Court Judicial Protection Order for Ancient Tea Trees." The order was publicly displayed at the entrance to the ancient tea tree forest in Tangshi Shangba Village, De'eo Town, Lonlin. The protection order is based on the principles of prioritizing protection and prevention and sets out seven prohibitions according to relevant regulations such as the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China, the Forest Law of…

I often teach my friends: if you want to taste the tea, you need to savor it. The word “taste” has three mouths in its character, and “flavor” has one mouth, adding up to four mouths. So when you taste a mouthful of tea, you should sip it in four parts, and thus you will have taste. When you lift the cup of tea to drink, do not down it all at once; drink slowly, telling yourself to enjoy this cup of tea. Because you will never again taste another cup of tea exactly like this one. Once you think about it, you will sip the tea very slowly. Then you will find the tea particularly delicious, because your whole being is immersed in the tea. Being very focused, calm, tranquil, and simple, you can savor the tea. There is a saying in tea ceremony: "A lifetime encounter, a parting at the door." You may only meet once in a lifetime with someone over tea. So every cup of tea is a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity, having been brought together through a long span of time and space. After drinking the tea, when you see off your friend or are seen off…

Situated in southeastern Tibet, Motuo County lies at the easternmost end of the Himalayas and within the heart of the world's largest canyon—the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon. Benefitting from high-altitude mist and a pristine ecological environment, Motuo tea is in high demand. In the ethereal tea garden of Gelin Village, Bei Bang Township, tourists are experiencing the art of tea picking and processing. A lady from Chongqing remarked, "Even though it’s winter, many of the tea plants here have sprouted new buds, full of vitality. Here, one can not only enjoy the scenery but also experience the joy of picking tea leaves, while also taking in sights like Mount Namjagbarwa and the Yarlung Zangbo River—it has truly been a worthwhile trip." In recent years, Motuo County has actively developed its “three bases and one chain” highland subtropical specialty industry. The local tax bureau has closely followed the development of local industries, focusing on addressing the urgent needs and concerns of taxpayers and fee payers. They have implemented a service model of "one list per industry, one consultant per enterprise," precisely delivering "policy finds you" and "policy delivered to your doorstep" services to ensure that tax and fee reduction benefits reach…

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…

As human beings, we are higher animals who need to live positively. We realize our values through dedicated work. In the process of achieving self-worth, there will inevitably be periods of confusion, as if we've shifted into "neutral"; at such times, no amount of acceleration will get us moving again. This is something everyone encounters. Although it may seem like a bad thing, it's actually beneficial, especially for those who can quickly recover by adjusting themselves. In such a state, how do you adjust yourself? Some people need to travel to clear their minds; others find solace in quiet reading; some require intense exercise to vent; and still, others can heal themselves simply by indulging in shopping... There's actually another excellent method for self-adjustment: closing your door to quietly enjoy tea. In an extremely peaceful space, you can easily break through your own "bottleneck". Sit cross-legged, gaze out the window, bask slowly in the sunshine, sip a delicate tea, close your eyes slightly, feel the aroma of the tea swirling in the air, let your thoughts fly freely without restraint. In such a personal space, savor the tea's fragrance repeatedly. You can imagine its source, visualize the growth of plants,…