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Tea is a combination of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Why so? The TV series "Chicken Feathers to the Sky" features a classic scene: "Tea, a fine tree of the south." The opening words of Lu Yu's "The Classic of Tea" are telling, indicating that tea belongs to wood. Here, when we refer to tea, we mean the tea plant, not the finished product. So, what is the relationship between tea and the five elements? How can the five elements achieve yin-yang harmony? What considerations should be given to how teaware is placed? 01 Tea has the Five Elements, the Way of Nourishing with Tea Metal: "Pan-fried to halt oxidation," it belongs to "metal." Fire: Tea is pan-fried using fire, which defines its character. Water: Tea is brewed with water, which unfolds its leaves and reveals its aroma. Earth: Brewing requires vessels, typically made of clay or porcelain teaware. "Harmony" is the soul of Chinese tea culture. Harmony adjusts yin and yang, harmony generates the five elements, harmony is the middle path, and harmony embodies "unity of heaven and humanity." According to traditional Chinese medicine, if a person's five elements are balanced and their generation and control are appropriate,…

The Ming Dynasty was a significant period of reform in tea drinking history. The founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, recognized the hard work of tea farmers and issued an edict to "abolish compressed tea in favor of loose tea." This decree marked the end of compressed and cake teas, ushering in the era of loose leaf tea in China. Xiuning Songluo Tea was created during this early Ming period. Songluo tea is known as the "ancestor of stir-fried green teas," renowned for its "green color, high fragrance, and strong flavor," which distinguishes it from other green teas. There are records stating that "in Anhui, there is Songluo tea, whose taste surpasses Longjing but falls below Tianchi" (Yuan Hongdao, Ming Dynasty). During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Songluo Mountain was a Buddhist holy site. As early as the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, the Yinfu Temple on Songluo Mountain had already become famous throughout southern China, with abundant offerings and worship. Songluo tea originates from this mountain. According to "Tea Record" by Feng Shike of the Ming Dynasty, Songluo Dafang was first created by the monk Dafang. 1. Harvesting and Processing of Songluo Tea The harvesting and…

The Green Tea Production Skills (Yuhua Tea Production Skills) are mainly practiced in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. Yuhua tea plantations mostly adopt an intercropping model with trees and bushes, primarily located on loess hills between 20-50 meters above sea level. The soil is a yellowish-red type, slightly acidic, with an organic matter content of 1.89%. In the late Qing Dynasty, Lu Yong and others established the national tea research institution "Jiangnan Planting Tea Bureau" on Zijin Mountain in Nanjing. They reclaimed land around Linggu Temple for tea planting and production, naming the tea "Cloud Mist Tea." After the Xinhai Revolution, tea makers developed the technique of rolling the leaves into slender shapes, giving Cloud Mist Tea its initial pine needle-like appearance. Following liberation, they incorporated techniques of grabbing and straightening the leaves, which finalized the tea's tight, fine, round, and straight pine needle shape. It was renamed "Yuhua Tea" in 1959. Production Skills The Green Tea Production Skills (Yuhua Tea Production Skills) represent traditional Chinese green tea needle-shaped production techniques. The main process of Yuhua Tea production involves: fresh leaf picking → spreading out → pan-firing → rolling → preliminary drying → shaping → final drying → refinement → baking…

Basic Introduction to Yongxi HuoqingThe reason high mountains produce fine tea is due to the unique natural ecological environment, which is determined by the biological genetics of the tea plant. Yongxi Huoqing tea belongs to the pearl tea category and is produced in the areas around Feng Pit, Pan Pit, Shijing Pit, and Wantaishan in Yongxi Mountain, 70 kilometers east of Jing County, Anhui Province. The best natural quality teas come from places like Tuanjie Rock and Yinshang Rock in Feng Pit; Jizhao Valley, Orchid Pit, and Fanjing Stone in Pan Pit; and Yingwo Rock in Shijing Pit. The "Jing County Annals" once described: "From Millstone Mountain (now Pan Pit) southward to Yongxi, the area spans more than thirty miles, producing much fine tea as well as Chinese fir." This region features high mountains with dense forests, deep valleys with gushing streams, misty clouds, abundant flowers, and a unique ecological setting. Product CharacteristicsYongxi Huoqing has a unique style and excellent quality. It is tightly compact and solid, with a dark green color that shines and reveals silvery tips. The white down is hidden, yet the silvery sheen is visible. The shape resembles small beads that make a sound when dropped…

"Throughout history, poets have been tea connoisseurs, toasting their friends with a cup of clear tea." In China's thousands of years of history, the humble tea leaf has played an indispensable role. Among the seven refined pursuits of life—music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, and tea—one cannot do without tea! The tea mountains are filled with verdant green after a whole winter of rest and accumulation. It seems that the fragrance of tea wafts from the tenderest and most vibrant branches among the leaves, its subtle aroma enchanting and intoxicating. Spring breezes are delightful, but nothing compares to sipping a cup of spring tea, lost in its floral splendor. What is Pre-Ming Tea? "Pre-Ming Tea" and "Pre-Rain Tea" are terms used in the Jiangnan tea region along the Yangtze River to refer to different stages of spring tea based on seasonal divisions. Due to the climate in the Jiangnan area, some early-emerging tea varieties begin sprouting around the Awakening of Insects and Spring Equinox. Thus, tea harvested before the Qingming Festival is called "Pre-Ming Tea." The appeal of "Pre-Ming Tea" has always been due to its high quality and relative scarcity. Its excellence lies in the tenderness of its buds…

The Sun-Dried Green Maocha is crafted from fresh buds and leaves of the large-leaf tea variety in Yunnan, using a distinctive low-temperature production process. The quality of the raw material determines the upper limit of the final product's quality. The freshness of the leaves is influenced by the tea plant variety, the ecological standards of its growing environment, and the age of the tea plants, with the ecological environment being of paramount importance. The production process of Sun-Dried Green Maocha: 1. Picking: Completed in the morning when the mist disperses around 8 to 9 AM, with a slight dew, the fresh leaves picked at this time retain their tenderness. 2. Spreading Out: This step typically lasts between 6 to 8 hours, depending on the moisture content of the fresh leaves. The leaves partially lose water, becoming softer, and the stems lose their elasticity, preparing them for the next step and reducing damage. 3. Withering of Fresh Leaves: Spread thinly (3 to 5 cm) to naturally lose water. 4. Kill-green Step: Wok kill-green is a traditional method used in Yunnan tea regions. When the wok reaches a certain temperature, fresh leaves are added, focusing on keeping the leaf temperature below 60°C…

After the rain, new buds sprout.Currently, it is the period of vigorous growth for new shoots on tea trees. Walking into the vast tea mountains in Guiting Town, Guiting County, tea farmers are scattered throughout the tea gardens picking tea leaves to supply summer and autumn tea production. Tea farmers from Niaowang Village, Guiting Town, Guiting County, picking fresh tea leaves in an ecological tea garden "Today is sunny, perfect weather for picking tea." On the morning of July 31st, Villager Lei Bangxiu from Niaowang Village, Guiting Town, and her granddaughter arrived at their family’s tea garden with baskets on their backs. They moved their hands swiftly among the tea bushes, quickly gathering a handful of fresh tea buds. "I’m old now, so I can only pick about two pounds of tea leaves a day," said Lei Bangxiu with a bright smile as she looked over at the nearby tea garden, adding, "My granddaughter can pick more than four pounds!" Residents of Niaowang Village, Guiting County, are delighted with their fresh tea leaf harvest. Taking advantage of the summer break, Lei Bangxiu's granddaughter Jin Lan came to help pick tea in the garden. "I started picking tea in the garden…

The world of a teapot is vast, and the life of tea is long! Whether you're new to the world of purple clay teapots or an experienced aficionado, there are always questions that need answers! Here we have collected some frequently asked questions from enthusiasts and provided detailed answers. 1. Why does my new purple clay teapot have an unusual smell? Answer: The reason why tea brewed in a purple clay teapot tastes particularly good is due to its unique double-pore structure, which can absorb the aroma of tea. Naturally, it can also absorb other odors. A newly made purple clay teapot may have some earthy smell or a slight burnt odor, which are normal kiln-related scents. 2. Is purple clay exclusive to Yixing? Answer: Purple clay is a unique mineral found in Yixing. In May 2006, Yixing purple clay was included in the first batch of China's Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection List. To date, no one has discovered anywhere else in the world with the same type of ore as Yixing's purple clay. Clay from other mountains often contains a lot of sand and impurities. Purple clay from other regions can be considered purple clay pottery, but the finished…

[Narration] Located to the west of Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, Mount Meiling is also known as "Xishan." The area boasts fresh air, rolling hills, clear water, and a beautiful ecological environment. Its unique soil and climate have nurtured the Xishan Bailu tea, which was once a tribute tea and enjoyed nationwide fame over a thousand years ago. Recently, Hu Weihua, the fourth-generation inheritor of the Nanchang municipal intangible cultural heritage "Xishan Bailu" tea processing technique, introduced and demonstrated the process of stir-frying this tea to reporters.Screenshot from China News Video Stepping into Hu Weihua's intangible cultural heritage workshop, the fragrant aroma of tea wafts from the cast-iron woks used for stir-frying. By applying different techniques in the woks, the shape of the tea leaves continuously changes. Hu Weihua told reporters that the process of stir-frying green tea involves picking, withering, rolling, and drying, but they make adjustments based on local conditions, taking into account the characteristics of the tea produced there and traditional craft requirements. [Synchronous Interview] Fourth-generation inheritor of the Xishan Bailu tea processing technique, Hu Weihua We emphasize high-temperature fixation, quickly reaching temperatures above 300 degrees Celsius to fix the tea in a short time, locking in its…

Let's start with a chart of the Longjing family relationships. The head of the family is Hang Jiahe, who has a daughter named Hang Pan with his former wife Fang Xiling. In the previous article, we mentioned the love at first sight between Hang Pan and Nationalist pilot Cao Jiayuan. Hang Pan is in charge of overseeing hundreds of acres of tea garden, including the famous Lion Peak Hu Gong Temple area. By "overseeing," it mainly means managing the garden rather than preventing others from stealing tea leaves. During the month or so when Longjing tea is picked and processed, there are many people bustling about on the mountain, making it difficult to steal tea. If it's not the picking and processing season, stealing tea would be pointless because the resulting tea would taste terrible and couldn't even be sold as vegetables. Hang Pan's oversight is essentially garden management. The People's Liberation Army took over ten days to capture Hangzhou, officially announcing its liberation on May 3, 1949. The first third of "Looking South of the River" describes the winter and spring before the liberation of Hangzhou. In her diary, Hang Pan wrote: "The fighting has started again, and everywhere…

The “burnt pieces” in Pu'er raw tea are undesirable. However, this undesirability is not due to toxicity or harm to health but mainly affects the taste and appearance of the tea infusion. Theoretically, these “burnt pieces” can be avoided during the Pu'er tea production process; however, in practical application, they are almost impossible to avoid. The “burnt pieces” in Pu'er raw tea are essentially scorched tea juice that sticks to the iron wok and is not something dirty. During the process of fixing the fresh leaves, a large amount of water and tea juice overflow from the leaves, while the wok temperature is mostly above 200°C, which is very high. After several batches of fixing, a layer of tea juice forms on the surface of the iron wok, which is scorched black by the high heat and mixes with a small amount of the Pu'er tea material. We mentioned earlier that theoretically, “burnt pieces” can be avoided, and the most direct method would be to carefully clean the iron wok after each batch of fixing and before processing the next batch. If the scorched tea juice on the iron wok is completely washed off, it is theoretically possible to prevent…

Tea enthusiasts are certainly familiar with Pu'er tea, but not all may know how to truly appreciate it. Today, let's discuss the seven steps to drinking Pu'er tea. Step 1: Observe the Tea Mature production techniques result in cakes that are evenly shaped, compact, and uniform in thickness. With the advent of electrostatic dust removal machines, modern Pu'er teas from reputable manufacturers are free of foreign objects. Prior to 2004, when such machines were not widely used, older teas might have some impurities due to manual sorting. The color distinguishes raw from ripe teas: ripe teas are dark brown, while raw teas range from dark green (young) to brownish-red (aged), transitioning from loose to compact, thin to robust, dry to lustrous. Step 2: Touch the Tea The compactness of the tea indicates its aging potential; loosely packed leaves age faster under equal storage conditions, while tightly packed leaves age more slowly. Surface blending involves sprinkling higher-grade leaves on the surface for a better appearance, while a single-grade cake consists of uniformly graded leaves throughout, without any external embellishment. Step 3: Smell the Dry Tea As the name suggests, use your nose to carefully smell the tea. Pu'er tea improves with…

"Spring wind greens the south again, Biluochun is beautifully winding," it's the time of year when everyone talks about Biluochun. We talk about the fragrant tea that permeates the city, and we also talk about its staggering price. Why is Dongting Biluochun so expensive? What's the reason for its high cost? It's expensive due to its rarity, and also because of the hands involved. Dongting Biluochun, from picking to stir-frying, is done entirely by hand, taking time, effort, and care, inevitably making it costly. The first step to a cup of Jiangnan flavor is picking. How do the tea farmers on Dongting East and West Hills pick tea? When 5% of the tea shoots in the tea garden reach the initial stage of one bud and one leaf, they can be picked according to standards. First Picking The first batch of picking requires thoroughness; only when the first batch is thoroughly picked will the subsequent growth of new tea shoots be uniform in length. Otherwise, the newly sprouted shoots vary in size and length, which the farmers call "chaos." "Chaos on the tree makes it hard to pick, and chaos after picking makes it hard to sort," affecting quality. Leaving…

Basic Introduction to Longzhou Oolong Tea The Longzhou Oolong Tea has a bright yellow-green liquor, a rich and long-lasting aroma, a distinct "tea character," a mellow taste with a sweet aftertaste, which is why it's favored by tea enthusiasts both domestically and in Southeast Asia. Oolong tea is made through processes including fixation, withering, shaking, semi-fermentation, and baking, among others. It evolved from the Song Dynasty tribute teas of Dragon Spheres and Phoenix Cakes and was created around 1725 (during the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty). After tasting, one is left with a lingering fragrance in the mouth and a fresh, sweet aftertaste. Since 2000, the Guangxi Subtropical Crop Research Institute station located in Longzhou County has introduced high-quality tea varieties such as Tieguanyin, Huangzhixiu, Jinxuan, and Cuiyu from Fujian, Guangdong, Taiwan, and other regions. Using tea tree grafting technology, they successfully replaced large-leaf Yunnan tea varieties with oolong tea varieties, achieving production of oolong tea in the same year as the grafting. This has turned Longzhou into a major oolong tea production base in Guangxi. Geographical Location Longzhou is located in the South Asian tropical monsoon climate zone, with a temperate climate, abundant sunshine, ample rainfall, a long…

The rolling of Puer tea is the first process after the tea has been subjected to initial heat treatment (withering). Traditionally, the method involves transferring the withered tea from the wok onto bamboo mats, wide wooden boards, or clean cement floors, where the tea is manually "rolled" and "twisted" by hand. This action is somewhat similar to kneading flour. So, what is the purpose of rolling Puer tea? Puer Tea Rolling Methods 1. Manual Rolling The manual rolling of Puer tea typically requires two rounds of rolling. The first round occurs after the tea has been withered and laid out to cool; it is rolled until the leaves are mostly in strip form and tea juice begins to seep out. The leaves are then left to dry until the next morning before undergoing a second round of rolling to ensure that even the coarser and older stems and leaves are tightly formed into strips. A special bamboo-made rolling mat is used for this process. The rolling technique requires circular, complete, and coordinated movements that are both firm and gentle, ensuring that the tea leaves are evenly pressured and conducive to forming strips. The duration and strength of the rolling are…

In the river section from Li Bu town in Cangwu County, Guangxi to Fengkai town in Guangdong Province, the tea-laden boats switch to larger sailing vessels. The Tanka people, operating as families or clans, join in with great enthusiasm, leaving indelible marks in the annals of the ancient tea boat route. The blazing sun of mid-June is intense, even as evening approaches, the temperature remains quite high. In a small store next to the cultural playground in Shadi Village, Li Bu Town, Cangwu County, four elderly villagers - Mai Ruiqing, Nie Fuwen, Mai Weixiong, and Mai Xiuxing sit together. These elders are now in their late seventies and eighties; they spent years navigating the waterway between Liubao Town in Cangwu, Guangxi and Jiangkou Town in Fengkai County, Guangdong. They know every detail of this waterway and can even point out where the Jilong Wharf once stood on the riverbank next to the cultural playground before 1950. Nowadays, these elderly men often gather under the eaves of the small store, reminiscing over a pot of cool tea. Unknowingly, they open up memories that have been long forgotten... Unloading at Li Bu and Switching to Larger Boats Li Bu Town is located…

Searching for "Puer tea" on e-commerce platforms, you'll find prices ranging from a few dozen yuan to tens of thousands of yuan per pound. Despite being the same type of Puer tea, the price differences are vast. What accounts for these disparities? Origin - Just as wine is distinguished by vineyard, Puer tea is characterized by its mountain origin. There are three major tea regions for Puer tea: Xishuangbanna, Pu'er, and Lincang. The most well-known mountains include twelve ancient tea mountains. Divided by the Lancang River, the six tea mountains north of the river are Youle, Yibang, Gedeng, Manzhuang, Mangzhi, and Yiwu, known as the "six tea mountains within the river." South of the river, the six tea mountains are Nannuo Mountain, Mengsong, Bada, Bulang Mountain, Jinghong Mengsong, and Menghai, referred to as the "six tea mountains outside the river." In addition to these twelve ancient tea mountains, in recent years, popular origins have emerged such as Ban Zhang, Mansong, and Bingdao. The hydrological conditions, soil, temperature, altitude, and sunlight intensity vary significantly across different regions, often possessing uniqueness. This uniqueness gives rise to Puer tea's "distinct flavor of each mountain." The powerful character of Old Ban Zhang and the…

Tea enthusiasts who enjoy tea are certainly familiar with Pu'er tea, but not all may know how to fully appreciate it. Today, let's discuss the seven steps to enjoying Pu'er tea together. Step 1: Observe the Tea Mature production processes ensure consistency in the shape of the compressed tea cakes, which are evenly formed and tightly compacted. Since the introduction of electrostatic dust removal machines, contemporary Pu'er teas from reputable manufacturers do not contain foreign objects. However, before 2004 when these machines were not widely used, older teas might have some impurities as they were manually screened. The color of Pu'er tea can help distinguish between raw and ripe varieties: ripe Pu'er is dark brown, while raw Pu'er ranges from dark green (young) to brownish-red (aged), with loose or compact leaves that become dry and lustrous over time. Step 2: Feel the Tea Feel the compactness of the tea; a loosely packed tea will age faster under the same storage conditions compared to one that is more tightly packed. When breaking off a piece of the tea, check for consistency throughout – some teas have higher-grade leaves sprinkled on the surface for better appearance, while others use a uniform grade…

The Aroma Achieved Through Baking The tea processing of Xinyang Maojian not only preserves the tenderness of the buds but also enhances their aroma to a certain extent, creating a fresh, smooth, and mellow taste for Maojian tea. The production process of Xinyang Maojian is very meticulous. Before stir-frying, the fresh leaves are sorted according to variety, weather at the time of picking (rainy or sunny), time of day (morning or afternoon), and freshness. They are then graded using bamboo sieves and kept separately. The sorted tea leaves are spread out on a tray; those picked on rainy days should be spread thinly, while those picked on sunny days can be spread more thickly. Once the leaves become soft and have lost some moisture, they are ready for stir-frying. The stir-frying directly determines the quality of Xinyang Maojian, as it is the process that enhances its aroma and also makes the tea suitable for long-term storage. Its technique is also unique, consisting of three steps: raw pan, mature pan, and baking. Although this sounds simple, the actual process is particularly complex. Furthermore, the stir-frying and baking techniques of Xinyang Maojian combine elements from the production methods of Lu'an Guapian and…

There is an old saying: "Preserved tangerine peel of a hundred years is like ginseng of a thousand years," meaning that the longer the tangerine peel is preserved, the more valuable it becomes. Runyuanchang's pure dry warehouse for Newhui preserved tangerine peel strictly categorizes and stores the peels according to their origin, age, and grade. The warehouse maintains constant temperature and humidity, and conducts regular inspections, ensuring the high quality of Runyuanchang and its brand Ganrentang's Newhui preserved tangerine peel, which stands out for its clean and sweet flavor compared to other preserved tangerine peels on the market. Nowadays, many people have the habit of using preserved tangerine peel in their cooking. Whether it's in soups or stir-fries, some recipes opt to use tangerine peel instead of scallions and ginger to avoid being too spicy, as it not only detoxifies fish and shrimp but also adds a unique aroma and removes fishy odors. Adding some to mutton or beef soup can help cut through the fat and make the meat cook faster. When cooked with rice porridge, it not only enhances the fragrance but also warms the stomach. Many recipes for using tangerine peel in cooking have been discovered. 1.…

Mom's younger sister is middle-aged now, her thick black hair streaked with silver. Her voice, when calling out to her children, is strong and powerful, tinged with the wear and tear of time. Grandma, smiling warmly, like many other women who pick tea, has long since melded into the tea mountains. That tea affair, that long-haired girl drinking tea, who would remember any of it? It only appears in my mind, transformed and shifting, that smile like a spring breeze through the forest. The tea-picking aunt is elderly now, suffering from rheumatism, her hands shaking as she walks alone around the house. Grandpa, who used to make tea, is skin and bones; he no longer has the strength to stand by the large iron wok and stir-fry a pot of handmade tea for his children and grandchildren, much less go out to attend a tea event. This man who loved socializing and kept up appearances, after a serious illness, his face turned the color of tea. He gasped for breath and waved his hand, unwilling to eat meals at the same table as his children and grandchildren. Sometimes, getting out of bed required Dad's help. He took the food cooked…