Tea, this ancient and magical beverage, occupies a unique and significant place in Chinese culinary culture. It is not merely a drink but also a way of life, a cultural legacy, and a spiritual anchor.
Chinese culinary culture is extensive and profound, with tea and wine serving as typical representatives that showcase the richness and diversity of Chinese culture while reflecting the multifaceted nature of the Chinese character. “Tea is like a hermit, and wine like a knight.” Tea enables people to return to their true selves in tranquility, while wine allows them to release themselves in exuberance. However, whether one drinks wine or tea, they are fundamentally pursuing a state of mind. As the saying goes, “Wine doesn't intoxicate; it's the heart that becomes drunk. Tea doesn't purify; it's the heart that is clear,” referring to a spiritual experience beyond the material realm.
Drinking wine often correlates closely with one's emotional fluctuations. In times of joy, wine amplifies the merriment, allowing it to be more freely expressed; when troubled, it serves as a means to drown sorrows, providing temporary respite from worldly troubles in the midst of intoxication. For poets and scholars drinking alone, wine becomes a medium for transcending the mundane. When it enters their heroic hearts, poetry pours out like moonlight. “In high spirits and generous, worries are hard to forget. What can dispel them? Only Du Kang [wine].” When beset by worries, drinking fine wine allows one to momentarily set aside their concerns and immerse themselves in a fleeting moment of peace and comfort. Drinking alone may carry many helplessnesses and bitterness, as seen in Ruan Ji, who used drunkenness to avoid conflict and protect himself amidst changing times. In this world, we all face many difficulties, and wine acts like a loyal companion, accompanying us through tough times.
When a few friends gather to share strong wine, it becomes a bond that deepens relationships. “Deep feelings mean drinking to the dregs,” and in that bold act of downing a cup, friendships become stronger. With wine, a thousand cups are never enough when shared with like-minded friends, and emotions intensify under its influence. Wine represents genuine character, where truth is spoken after drinking, naturally revealing one's most authentic feelings. It also symbolizes enthusiasm, uninhibited character, unconcerned with trifles and unwilling to dwell on petty interests. Like knights, those who love wine detest evil and charge forward fearlessly.
In contrast to the fervor of wine, tea is consumed in a calm and serene state of mind. Watching tea leaves rise and fall in the pot mirrors the ups and downs of life. brewing a cup of tea alone, watching the leaves swirl, ascend, and finally settle at the bottom of the cup, is akin to experiencing a cleansing of the soul. Lifting the lid, the aroma fills the nose—a delicate and fragrant scent that invigorates the spirit. Initially bitter, then sweet, the tea's fragrance lingers in the mouth, calming the heart and mind like a gentle breeze. Drinking tea is a return to simplicity after extravagance and silence after excitement. “Drowsy from wine and long roads, I only want to sleep; high sun makes me thirsty, and I long for tea.” After the intensity of wine, tea soothes the body and mind, bringing the agitated heart back to tranquility.
After drinking tea, one often remains silent, and the true essence of life lies in this unspoken moment. “Sweeping bamboo leaves to brew tea, splitting pine roots to cook vegetables.” One tastes a hint of sweetness amidst a subtle bitterness, finding true joy in ordinary, simple living. Tea represents a tranquil and steady character, mature and wise, seeing through the world's superficialities, indifferent to fame and fortune, the heart quiet and enlightened, transcendent and penetrating.
In Chinese history, wine and tea have mirrored the different personalities of various figures. Li Bai was like wine, unrestrained and defiant, his poetry brimming with heroic aspirations, penned in the throes of intoxication, ethereal and divine. Du Fu, on the other hand, was closer to tea, temperate and cautious, drinking moderately, his writings solemn and measured, embodying rational brilliance. Laozi, the Daoist, was like tea, silent and taciturn, seemingly simple and dull yet filled with infinite wisdom; Zhuangzi was like wine, his mind freely roaming, imagination boundless, language expansive and unrestrained.
Tea and wine, one dynamic and one still, represent two aspects of the Chinese character that complement each other, together shaping an artistic life. Those who are bold and spirited like wine can also be calm and composed, while those who are detached and serene like tea can display genuine character and spontaneity.
Tea is more than just a drink; it is a way of life. It teaches us to pause in our busy lives, to quiet our minds, and savor the beauty of life. In the aroma of tea, we can relax and forget our worries, allowing our souls to rest. It teaches us to find joy in the mundane and discover beauty in the ordinary.
The variety of teas each has its unique flavor and characteristics. Green Tea is fresh and elegant, Black Tea rich and mellow, Oolong tea has a lingering taste, white tea is natural and pure… Each type of tea is like an open book waiting for us to savor and decipher its mysteries.
The process of drinking tea is also a form of cultivation. From selecting the tea, preparing the utensils, boiling water, brewing to tasting, every step requires our full attention. Through this process, we learn focus, patience, and meticulousness—qualities that manifest in our daily lives.
Tea also carries the emotional exchange between people. Sharing a cup of fragrant tea with friends and family, talking about joys and sorrows, deepens feelings in the enveloping aroma of tea.
The rhythm of life with tea is a serene and far-reaching realm of existence. In the aroma of tea, we learn to think, to feel, and to cherish. Let us accompany ourselves with tea, savoring the essence of life in its fragrance, writing our own splendid chapters.
Whether tea or wine, both are indispensable parts of our lives. They make our lives richer and more flavorful, allowing us to explore the infinite possibilities of life and experience the profundity of Chinese culture.