Tea Culture

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,…

There is a preference for Puer tea that has always belonged to the Dragon Beads: It is the love for their delicate and compact size, It is the appreciation for their simplicity and portability, This has always been the case, never changing. There is a pursuit of Puer tea that has always belonged to the Dragon Beads: That is the delicacy crafted by hand alone, That is the ultimate pursuit of form, Persistently maintained, never abandoned. There is a wait for Puer tea that has always belonged to the Dragon Beads: It requires time to slowly release its essence, It requires the passage of time to gently unfold its fragrance, Silent companionship, waiting quietly for transformation. There is an extreme minimalism in Puer tea that has always belonged to the Dragon Beads: They no longer simply appear at home, They appear in the office or even on journeys, They can be enjoyed anywhere, without fuss. In this tumultuous world, there is a tranquility and peace that has always belonged to the time brought by Dragon Bead Puer tea. Each Dragon Bead is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, Each tasting session is a journey of self-reflection. It is not just a cup…

The world is ever-changing, yet only composure and calmness within can remain constant to adapt to the vicissitudes of life. Such composure cultivates a demeanor that remains unperturbed by external circumstances. Many seek answers to achieve such inner composure, unaware that over a thousand years ago, Chan Master Congshan provided us with an answer: "Go drink tea." A cup of tea, for health and composure One's physical state influences their psychological state. A healthy body fosters optimism and a calm demeanor in the face of challenges. Tea is a natural beverage that provides nutritional value and health benefits. It contains various vitamins essential for human needs, contributing to dietary balance. The caffeine and catechins in tea help relax the digestive tract, aiding digestion. Caffeine also stimulates the central nervous system, providing a refreshing effect. The catechins in tea help lower total cholesterol, free cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides, promoting lipid metabolism. Tea, silently exuding tranquility Laozi said, "Stillness overcomes restlessness; cold overcomes heat. Tranquility is the true nature of all under heaven!" In stillness lies composure. In today's fast-paced society, the pursuit of goals can sometimes lead to restlessness and impatience. Restlessness often stems from dissatisfaction with one's current…

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…

Sitting idle over tea on the weekend, feeling a simple satisfaction. Perhaps this is what our predecessors referred to as the clear richness in life. Feelings of happiness, pure joy, and tranquility—savoring a cup of tea purely for its taste. Smell the aroma, take a sip, and feel the tea flowing down your throat into your body. Relax your eyes, your mouth, your ears, your nose, and let your whole being unwind, so you can truly appreciate the flavor of the water and the fragrance of the tea leaves. You might even sense the sunlight, air, and soil that nurtured them. A single cup of tea can bring such contentment. Approach each moment with this contented heart, slow down, clear your mind, relax while drinking tea, and live mindfully. In this moment, the tea reflects your own heart, and what you imbibe is your own experience and perception of life. This is simple, yet real. Tea is an invitation to the surprises of life, and life is a series of beautiful tea gatherings. Through the omnipresent presence of tea in life, find peace within. Slow your breathing and let today's happiness begin with a cup of tea!

Tea is an ancient and mysterious beverage that carries thousands of years of cultural heritage of the Chinese nation. For many, drinking tea is not just a daily habit but also a way to seek inner peace. In this fast-paced modern society, we are often preoccupied with the minutiae of work and life, leaving little time for a moment’s respite. However, when we lift a cup of tea and savor its flavors, we seem to transcend time and space, returning to a tranquil world. Drinking tea is a pleasure. The moment boiling water meets the leaves, the aroma fills the air, captivating us. The leaves tumble and unfurl in the water, as if narrating an ancient story. We can sense the nuances of the tea – its bitterness, sweetness, and richness – all unique tastes bestowed by nature. Each sip brings different sensations, offering a brief respite from our busy lives. Drinking tea doesn’t require expertise. For most people, the taste and fragrance of tea are paramount. There’s no need to be a tea connoisseur or understand every type’s characteristics and benefits. All one needs is to choose a tea that suits their preference and savor it with intention. The…

Tea, as an integral part of traditional Chinese culture, has been endowed with rich cultural connotations and a variety of elegant names since ancient times. In ancient texts, there are numerous names for tea, but "tea" is the most formal term. Before the mid-Tang Dynasty, the character for "tea" was typically written as "tú," which had multiple meanings, one of which referred to tea leaves. With the flourishing of tea production and the popularization of tea-drinking habits, the frequency of using the name for tea gradually increased. To more clearly express the meaning of tea, folk writers simplified the character "tú," removing one stroke, forming the familiar "tea" character we know today. In the poetry and writings of ancient literati, tea has various nicknames, which not only reflect its diversity but also demonstrate the ancients' love and pursuit of tea culture. Here are some of the nicknames for tea found in ancient poetry: 1. Tú (Tear) "Tú" is the most commonly used character to represent tea in ancient times, first appearing in the Book of Songs. Scholars have differing opinions on whether "tú" refers specifically to tea. Xu Shen, in his "Etymological Dictionary" from the Eastern Han Dynasty, mentions: "Tú,…

In the eleventh year of Chongzhen (1638 AD), in May, Xu Xiake entered Yunnan from Guizhou, marking the final chapter of his life's travels. For him, perhaps the most memorable thing about Yunnan was the availability of excellent tea everywhere he went, "sufficient to console the traveler." In *Xu Xiake's Travel Notes*, he recorded over 80 tea-related events during his journey, nearly 60 of which took place in Yunnan. This reflects the popularity of tea drinking in Ming Dynasty Yunnan. Not long after his Yunnan travels, in the fourteenth year of Chongzhen (1641 AD), Xu Xiake passed away in his hometown Jiangyin. Three years later, Qing troops crossed the pass, and the Ming-Qing dynastic change began, with warfare quickly spreading to Yunnan. From the rebellion of the local chieftain Sha Dingzhou in the second year of Shunzhi (1645 AD) to the Qing forces' pacification of Yunnan in the first year of Kangxi (1662 AD), and finally the suppression of Wu Sangui's rebellion in the twentieth year of Kangxi (1681 AD), the continuous warfare for almost 40 years had long erased the prosperity of tea culture that Xu Xiake had described. It wasn't until the Qianlong era that Pu'er tea from…

In fact Aside from the commonly enjoyed "Laba Porridge," there is another Laba beverage in the tea world—the "Laba Tea." Have you heard of it? What’s in Laba Tea? Laba Tea, also known as Eight-Treasure Tea, has origins dating back to the Tang Dynasty, making it a famous tea with over 1,400 years of history. It is said that during the prosperous Tang period on the Silk Road, merchants would commonly brew a tea soup using dried fruits from various regions along with tea leaves, which served as an early form of Laba Tea for quenching thirst. Laba Tea typically consists of eight components, including tea leaves, red dates, goji berries, walnut kernels, longan, sesame seeds, raisins, and chrysanthemum flowers, among others. Additional ingredients can be added according to personal preference. How to Brew Laba Tea? The only requirement for drinking Laba Tea is to use a lidded bowl, as most of the tea ingredients are dried fruits. After pouring boiling water over them, the ingredients need to be stewed with steam to achieve the best taste, making a lidded bowl the perfect choice. Place the eight ingredients into a lidded bowl and rinse with boiling water, causing the ingredients…

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…

During the Qing Dynasty, the local society of the Six Great Tea Mountains was a mix of officials, merchants, indigenous people, and others, all dependent on the tea mountains for their livelihood. These diverse groups were like individual notes that together composed the symphony of Pu'er tea's destiny. Old Yibang Street After the establishment of the Pu'er Prefecture through the replacement of native administration with imperial rule, the barriers between the Six Great Tea Mountains and the outside world were broken down, and an influx of merchants from outside entered the tea mountains. There were conflicts and mutual benefits between these newcomers and the local inhabitants, and over time they gradually blended together, painting a colorful picture of life in the tea mountains. The Qing government formally appointed local officials such as Wu Zhaohu of Yiwu, Cao Dangzai of Yibang, Ba Longfu and La Zha Bian of Bulang. The indigenous people living in the Six Great Tea Mountains at the time were primarily the Woni and Puman tribes, and there were also some local chieftains active between the native officials and the indigenous people. The leaders of the incoming merchants were called presidents, heads, chiefs, or leaders, serving to bridge…

Cooking fuel, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea—life without tea lacks its full luster. Through summer, spring, winter, and autumn, there's always a perfect season for savoring tea. For example, in winter, one can hide in plain sight among the bustling city or find deeper solace in a cup of tea. In this season, gather with like-minded friends, free from the distractions of gain or the disputes of daily life. As the saying goes, whether your cup is full or empty, why vie? Whether your brew is strong or light, it has its own flavor. Such is the way, all well and good. In winter, boil a pot of Pu'er tea. Reflect on the past and look ahead to the future. Time leaves behind memories and sighs that once troubled our spirits, sleepless nights that once weighed on our hearts, tears that once wet our words. Through mountains and rivers, we learn to hold up the future and let go of the past, seeing the myriad faces of the world with an ordinary heart. Tea shared with a friend warms the heart even in winter. Our souls yearn for tranquility, a chance to slow down. Tea must be…

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival, is one of China's traditional festivals, held annually on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Alongside eating rice dumplings (zongzi) and dragon boat racing, tea tasting is an integral part of the festival. On this day filled with traditional culture, the fragrance of tea adds a unique charm to the festivities. On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, households prepare tea to share with family and friends. People use exquisite tea sets to brew fine tea, savoring its flavors carefully. The aroma of the tea is soothing and refreshing, seemingly dispelling the heat and irritability of summer. Moreover, tea tasting is a social activity where people exchange feelings and share life experiences, strengthening friendships and bonds. In addition to family gatherings, various tea cultural activities are held during the Dragon Boat Festival period. These include tea art performances and tea ceremony demonstrations, showcasing the exquisite skills of tea art and spreading the essence of tea culture. Audiences can learn more about tea knowledge and cultural connotations while enjoying these performances. The relationship between the Dragon Boat Festival and tea goes beyond drinking; it's also about cultural heritage.…

Tea is the true manifestation of nature. Within every Chinese heart lies a whiff of tea fragrance. This magical leaf has nourished our civilization for thousands of years and imbued us with a gentle, jade-like national character. In the collective taste memory and emotional reliance of the Chinese people, tea remains warm and beautiful. For in a cup of tea, there always exists our utopia, the best way to get close to nature. “Our most intimate contact with the natural environment occurs when we eat it.” British historian Philip Fernando-Armesto wrote this in his book Eating: How Food Transformed Us and Our Human and Global History. If we extend this statement to Pu'er tea, especially ancient tree tea, it couldn’t be more fitting. Industrial civilization and urbanization have distanced us from nature, but only tea retains its true essence, presenting the authenticity of nature amidst steel, concrete, glass, and car exhaust. The Lancang River water, trickling down from the snow-capped peaks, fuses with the land where humans and nature coexist harmoniously in Yunnan, giving birth to this miraculous and delightful leaf. Millions of years ago, nature's magic hand allowed tea trees to thrive along the middle and lower reaches of…

At 19:30 on June 18th, the mini opera "Love of the Ancient Tea Tree," a project sponsored by the Yunnan Arts Fund for 2023's small-scale productions and works creation, premiered at the Art Practice Theater of the School of Music and Dance, Kunming University. Photos provided by the performance of "Love of the Ancient Tea Tree" According to the introduction, "Love of the Ancient Tea Tree" uses ancient tea trees as its entry point, adopts the form of a mini opera, and follows a timeline to tell a touching story about the relationship between humans and nature. It aims to introduce more people to Yunnan and its excellent culture shared among multiple ethnic groups. Group photo from the premiere of "Love of the Ancient Tea Tree" (photos provided) The mini opera "Love of the Ancient Tea Tree" tells the story of the Lahu, Bulang, Dai, Hani, and other ethnic groups living together in the lush southwest border region of China. They revere and respect nature, planting tea trees under natural forests, creating ancient tea forests that have thrived for thousands of years over vast areas. This story has been passed down for centuries and, in this new era, resonates with…

Changes in Manufacturing Processes The increased demand for Liubao tea abroad has boosted its exports, strengthened the Liubao tea industry, and driven continuous improvements in its manufacturing processes. According to "A Brief Record of Guangxi's Special Products," historically, early Liubao tea was made from fresh leaves through a process that included killing the green, initial kneading, heap fermentation, secondary kneading, and drying. This, however, was only the preliminary processing. As the overseas market expanded and Liubao tea needed to be transported by ship along the ancient tea route, local tea makers developed a refined processing technique. This involved using the coarsely processed green tea as raw material, sorting it, blending it according to different grades, heap fermenting it, and then steaming and compressing it multiple times. This traditional refined technology not only facilitated transportation but also allowed the tea to age well over time, making it suitable for shipping. According to "Guangxi Agricultural Communications," this technique had become the standard refined process for Liubao tea by the 1930s. Traditional tea utensils used by Singaporean Chinese families for drinking Liubao tea However, during the war years and into the late 1940s, the quality of Liubao tea produced in Wuzhou plummeted. A…

In the long-standing tea culture, the concept of "welcoming guests with tea, valuing harmony, and prioritizing purity" has always been central, carrying profound humanistic connotations and etiquette norms. Tea tasting is far from simply placing tea leaves in a cup and pouring hot water over them. The requirement for "purity" is an essential part of the process of tea tasting. To truly achieve the realm of tea tasting, one must have a clean environment, clean utensils, pure tea, and pure water. This word "pure" is the fundamental premise and core element of tea tasting. Before welcoming esteemed guests, meticulous preparatory cleaning is particularly critical. Before the guest steps into the tea room, the entire space should undergo a thorough and detailed cleaning. Every piece of tea ware must be ensured to be free of stains and water marks, presenting an immaculate state inside and out. This not only provides a visually clean and tidy impression but also has strict requirements in terms of olfactory experience. Opening windows in advance to ventilate and introduce fresh, pleasant air creates a pure and comfortable atmosphere. During this process, it is not recommended to spray chemical products like air fresheners, as these may interfere…

As an integral part of Eastern culture, tea is not just a beverage but also a form of life art and spiritual symbol. In China, where tea culture has a long history, it integrates elements of elegance and commonality, becoming an indispensable part of people's daily lives. This article will take you on a deep dive into the elegance and commonality of tea culture and how they together shape this unique cultural phenomenon. The Historical Origins of Tea Culture The origins of tea can be traced back to ancient China, with legends suggesting that it was first discovered and used by Shen Nong. Over time, tea evolved from a medicinal plant to a daily beverage, and a complete tea ceremony culture gradually developed. Lu Yu's "Tea Classic" during the Tang Dynasty is an important document in Chinese tea culture, detailing the cultivation, production, consumption, and related cultural and philosophical ideas about tea. The Elegant Aspect of Tea Culture In ancient China, tea was regarded as a refined beverage that complemented the poetry, calligraphy, painting, and music of literati. Savoring tea was seen as a way to cultivate one's character, and literati would gather to enjoy tea and exchange ideas. The…

The Year of the Dragon has arrived, and many people, after their annual performance reviews, are now faced with the reality of renewing their job responsibility statements. In fact, job responsibility statements are not a modern invention; they date back to the Western Han Dynasty. In the Western Han period, Wang Bao, a native of Zizhong (present-day Ziyang), Sichuan, lived in Chengdu at the home of Yang Hui, a widow. He engaged in a battle of wits with a bearded slave named Bian Liao, writing a document called "Tongyue" for him, initially just to play a prank on the slave who lacked self-awareness. Unintentionally, this act provided the tea world with its first proof that tea was a commodity. This dual achievement was likely unexpected even by Wang Bao himself. Bian Liao demanded that his new master, Wang Bao, clearly specify his duties: "Since it has come to this, you should write down all the tasks I'm expected to do in the contract, just like when Master Yang bought me. Otherwise, I won't do them!" It seems that Bian Liao, perhaps because he couldn't read or knew very little, intended to make things difficult for his new master, whom he…

Unswayed by the allure of the mundane world, one seeks only simplicity and richness within, performing tasks with a tranquil heart. The tea remains the same, but the temperature of the water and the brewing time vary, resulting in different flavors and textures with each brew. Brew tea with heart, letting it warm you from your teeth down to your stomach, permeating your entire being. Savor it quietly, reflecting slowly. Tea has memory, recording the passage of time in its tightly bound leaves. Encountering a good tea is like meeting someone who catches your eye—it requires a fortunate coincidence, and then you pray for perfect timing, neither too early nor too late. Nothing remains constant. Life is always marked by gains and losses, and even the most wonderful things cannot be held onto forever. Even the most painful experiences eventually fade into the past. All experiences are a form of cultivation. Looking back from a distance, we find that they have made us stronger and more clear-minded. When people come together or part ways, it is due to the ebb and flow of fate. Do not cling to sorrow or joy, do not mourn the past or crave the future.…

Living in the moment with ease, life has tea. The material life is developing rapidly, and we are getting more affluent. However, when we specifically arrange to meet up for tea, it feels much more significant; those who join you for tea care more and cherish the moment. Being able to find someone to share a cup of tea with is itself a form of happiness. Drinking tea is one of life’s pleasures. Even if the tea is simple and the meal plain, the warmth brought by the people sitting around you will make that cup of tea warm, sweet, fragrant, and long-lasting. A person who can join you for tea is one who brings calmness to your heart. Only with inner peace and composure can one face the various challenges of life calmly. Finding comfort in despair, regaining confidence in hopelessness, rediscovering oneself in confusion, and seeing light in the cold—all these stem from the inner strength cultivated over cups of shared tea. The more tea you drink, the simpler the life you aspire to becomes. There is nothing more delightful than drinking tea. Brew a pot of fragrant tea, and the distance between people disappears immediately. How many…

In the "world" of Pu'er tea, 8582 is like a reclusive master with unparalleled skills—his name is well-known, yet few have seen his true form. But whenever he appears, he commands attention, and those in the know can recognize him at first glance, thanks to his unique mark—the "Purple Heaven." Both 8582 and its sibling 8592 were born in 1985. Among Yunnan Seven Sons cakes, they stand out. While both hail from Menghai Tea Factory, they are exclusively custom-made for a Hong Kong-based trader—Nantian Trading Company. Because the purple "Heaven" character was stamped on their wrapping paper, a practice unprecedented at the time, these teas are commonly known as "Purple Heaven Cakes." The Purple Heaven Cakes now sell for over 100,000 RMB per cake, and various accounts related to them abound, often leaving people unsure of what to believe. Recently, our editorial team interviewed Chang Jinqiang, the former manager of the Specialized Tea Department at Yunnan Provincial Tea Import and Export Corporation, who witnessed the birth and export of 8582 and 8592 to Hong Kong. He shared stories about the legendary history of these Purple Heaven Cakes. The Beginnings and Endings of 8582/8592 Image The birth of the Purple Heaven…

The long wind has blown through the forest for a thousand years, countless tea trees swaying within it, the tranquil tea fragrance already scattered across thousands of miles. This is Jingmai Mountain, a thousand-year-old ancient tea forest recognized by the whole world. The villages dotted in the forest, like a serendipitous glimpse of utopia. The gray rooftops in clusters, thatch old and tenacious in time. Huge dark green banana leaves poke out, teasing the cherry blossoms that only come in spring. Sunset on the flowers in her hair, embroidery lines on the black skirt connecting centuries of family blessings, large bamboo baskets filled with sweetness, small embroidered sachets holding our whispered secrets. When the mountain moon rises, lanterns light up the skyway, deep blue background mingling with many lights, welcoming every moonlight appearance, saying goodbye to every sunrise, the mountain people as sturdy as rocks live and breathe with Jingmai Mountain, life continues, brilliant like the mountain flowers. Seeing the bond between people and the land is so concrete and clear, from ancient times to modern days, never truly distant. Original article published in the Pu'er Magazine

In this fast-paced era, everyone seems to be carrying a heavy burden, rushing along the tracks of life. Some hustle for the warmth of their families, some strive for the shores of their dreams, and others struggle in the minutiae of daily life. We are like trains that never rest, day after day, shuttling between two points, while our souls often slumber in fatigue. But don't forget, besides striving, life also has poetry and distance, and there is that unexpected scent of tea that can gently awaken our sleeping souls. Tea, a beverage that has been associated with leisure since ancient times, is not just a way to quench thirst; it is also an attitude towards life, a cherishing of beautiful moments. I remember a casual chat with a friend, who casually said, "Once I've learned the guzheng well, we'll play music and drink tea together, sharing that tranquility and harmony." I laughed, but my heart was stirred. Yes, why wait for some uncertain future moment? Why not let this beauty happen now? So, we decided right then and there to brew a pot of good tea, letting the aroma and laughter intertwine into the most moving melody. In that…