Tea Culture

White tea, a unique and precious type of tea, is beloved for its delicate taste and rich nutritional value. Originating from China, it carries a long history and cultural heritage. Let's embark on a journey to appreciate white tea and savor its charm and flavors. The history of white tea can be traced back hundreds of years, with a long-standing tradition in regions such as Fujian and Yunnan in China. Initially, white tea was presented as a tribute to royalty due to its rarity and unique quality. Over time, it gradually became part of everyday life, becoming a popular beverage. The production process of white tea is relatively simple yet requires meticulous skill and patience. After picking, the leaves are sun-dried and withered, preserving the natural aroma and nutritional components of the tea. Compared to other teas, the processing of white tea is more natural, without undergoing the steps of fixation or rolling, which allows it to retain higher levels of polyphenols and amino acids. When tasting white tea, one can experience its distinctive flavor and aroma. The infusion has a light yellow color, clear and bright, giving a refreshing feeling. In terms of taste, white tea is characterized by…

Since I started drinking tea, I've developed a kind of dependence on it. It's like an addiction that I can't let go of. The word "addiction" generally leaves a bad impression, as in alcohol addiction, smoking addiction, or internet addiction. I love tea, and each person may have their own specific reasons for doing so: the lightness of the tea, its sweetness, its bitterness, its gentleness, or its aftertaste... In the hearts of tea lovers, tea is more than just tea; it's akin to the multifaceted nature of life, depicting different states for different people. Our connection with tea is inexplicable. Among thousands of varieties, those who love tea will have their preferences, but this affection and understanding of tea come from within. Cherish a fine cup of tea, waiting for a kindred spirit. Whenever someone talks about a good cup of tea, my eyes light up, and I don’t miss any opportunity to taste it. In the eyes of tea enthusiasts, every type of tea has its supreme quality, and which one you prefer depends on personal taste and the mood at the moment of tasting. Different teas bring different feelings and understandings at different times. The love for…

The formation and development history of tea culture is very long. By the time of King Wu's campaign against the Shang, tea was already being presented as tribute. In the late period of the primitive commune, tea became an item for trade. During the Warring States period, there was a certain scale of tea production. The ancient anthology "The Book of Songs" from the Pre-Qin period has records about tea. In the Han dynasty, tea became a special nourishment for Buddhist "zazen" meditation. In the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern dynasties, the custom of drinking tea had emerged. In the Sui dynasty, tea drinking became widespread among the general populace. During the Tang dynasty, the tea industry flourished; tea became something that "no household could do without daily," tea houses, tea banquets, and tea parties appeared, and the practice of offering tea to guests was promoted. In the Song dynasty, the custom of tea competition became popular, along with tribute tea and imperial tea gifts. In the Qing dynasty, storytelling entered tea houses, and the foreign trade of tea developed. Tea culture was conceived and born alongside the emergence of commodity economy and urban culture. Throughout its history, tea…

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,…

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…

A pot of tea, the leaves dancing in water, indifferent to joy or sorrow, not competing for morning or night, not sighing at the passage of time. When we drink tea together, we don’t talk about worldly worries. In this cup of tea, there are countless causes and effects, but we need not delve deeply into them. It seems that everything is predestined, accumulated over lifetimes; all we need to do is pick up our teacups. Our meeting in this life, whether it be during autumn’s ripening or spring’s budding. I brew the tea, you come to drink it, and we talk about how the city’s neon lights, no matter how splendid, can never surpass the simple pleasure of trimming a lampwick during leisure time. It is this moment of tranquility that makes us cherish the present time and life, as if in a cycle, like the tea’s cycle of rebirth. The tea in the cup changes from light to dark, floating and sinking, gathering and dispersing. During each tea-drinking session, my heart calmly accepts these changes, brewing with care and drinking with mindfulness. Drinking tea with friends who love tea involves savoring it slowly until it’s fully appreciated. It…

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…

For over a century, Liubao tea has been continuously exported through the ancient tea ship route into Southeast Asia, deeply integrating into the daily lives of local Chinese communities. The September monsoon breezes across the west coast of the Malay Peninsula, adding a cool touch to Malacca's evenings. In front of Wu Kunlun's house, in a simple tea pavilion, more than a dozen tea enthusiasts gather around, savoring the fragrant aroma of Liubao tea, chatting and enjoying each other's company in a harmonious atmosphere. These tea gatherings have continued for over a decade, with most participants being avid fans of Liubao tea. Over the years, they've formed bonds over their shared love for tea, spending time together tasting, discussing, and purchasing tea, with Liubao tea always being the central topic of conversation. For many Southeast Asian tea enthusiasts, the cup of tea holds not just the rich and aromatic Liubao tea but also encapsulates the diverse social dynamics and sentiments of their homeland. Because Liubao tea, through its export along the ancient tea ship route in Southeast Asia, has witnessed the region's changes over more than a century and become deeply ingrained in the daily lives of local Chinese communities.…

The Song Dynasty was a time of abundant brick tea (also known as "tuán chá" or "piàn chá"). Regarding the production techniques of this period's brick teas, apart from the main processes recorded in "Beiyuan Bielu" for tribute teas (picking, sorting, steaming, pressing, grinding, shaping, drying), there was also the "gao you shou mian" technique, which involved adding a paste-like substance to the surface of the brick tea. Although this technique has been widely discussed by Song literati, detailed records of its specific operations are scarce, leading to a lack of systematic research on it within academia. Academic interpretations of "gao you shou mian" have largely focused on Su Shi's poem, "To know the purity of heart is good, not new with paste on the surface," interpreting it primarily as the act of applying paste to the surface of brick tea, with some suggesting it was a method of tea fraud. There are few discussions in academia about the formation of "gao you shou mian," though some trace it back to the Tang Dynasty, but their arguments are not particularly persuasive. The selection of materials for the paste is widely mentioned to include fragrant pastes, rice paste, and occasionally tea…

Along with the rise and fall of Liubao tea industry, the ancient tea ship route has gone through phases of formation, prosperity, dormancy, revival, and decline, leaving a splendid chapter in China's tea transportation history. The ancient route is vast and time has passed slowly. The development of the Liubao tea industry has undergone changes over several hundred years, and the tea ship route has also gone through a long journey from its formation to prosperity, dormancy, revival, and decline. Today, the Liubao tea industry is experiencing a comprehensive revival, but the ancient tea ship route mostly remains as traces of the past. However, there is no doubt that in the course of history, this ancient route, which coexisted with Liubao tea, has written a unique and splendid chapter in China's tea transportation history. The name "Tea Pavilion" can be seen on a map of Cangwu from the 32nd year of the Kangxi era (1693) of the Qing dynasty. 1. The "Annals of Cangwu County" compiled during the Tongzhi era of the Qing dynasty contains records about Liubao tea. 2. On the attached map of Cangwu County in the "Annals of Cangwu County" compiled during the Tongzhi era of the…

In summer, sunlight like golden silk drapes over the earth, and all things bask in this intense sunlight, as if telling the story of life.In this season full of vitality, a cup of clear tea seems to open another door to life, leading us into a tranquil and beautiful world. The emerald green tea leaves flutter up and down in the cup, as if a group of little fairies dancing. The aroma of the tea lingers at the tip of the nose, refreshing the mind and soothing the soul, as if all fatigue is dispelled by this fragrant freshness. Sitting on the balcony at home, holding a cup of tea, enjoying the rare peaceful moments. The elegant tea aroma intertwines with the summer sunshine, as if wrapping you in a cool cloak. You close your eyes, feeling the tea aroma dance on your tongue, like a summer breeze brushing against your cheeks, bringing a hint of coolness. At this moment, you seem cut off from the world, all worries dissipating like smoke. Or perhaps you meet up with a few good friends on a park bench, sipping tea while chatting about life. The black tea in your hand emits a…

During the War of Resistance against Japan, the central region was occupied. This period of history is a heavy topic for our nation, but for Yunnan, it did indeed receive more attention during that time, with a high density of intellectuals and skilled craftsmen coming to Yunnan, leaving behind many legacies. And Dianhong is among these legacies, a very brilliant gem. Father of Dianhong - Feng Shaoqiu Feng Shaoqiu is known as the father of Dianhong. Those of us who have truly studied and delved into tea appreciation have a different feeling about Feng Shaoqiu. He was a true master. Among the tea makers of his generation, in terms of how to shape the quality of fresh leaves and varieties, and the precise and delicate handling of tea, Feng Shaoqiu was the top person. His combination of theory and practice, his integration of knowledge and action, was at a very high level. Of course, this might be a subjective expression, so let's talk about an objective standard. △Feng Shaoqiu, image source from the Internet When Feng Shaoqiu later went to Shanghai to conduct export inspections, he had a nickname – "Feng Nose." Because with a sniff of a tea, he…

Liu Bao tea continued to be exported overseas through the ancient tea boat route, permeating the lives of consumers in Hong Kong, Macau, and Southeast Asian countries, influencing their daily habits. At the same time, overseas consumer markets also propelled the development of the Liu Bao tea industry through the ancient tea boat route, increasing the production of tea in its place of origin and promoting changes in production processes. A single boat crossing vast oceans, the living and the dead uncertain. When countless Chinese workers embarked on ships bound for Southeast Asia with hope and uncertainty, they wouldn't have imagined that a route for exporting Liu Bao tea would be initiated because of them; nor could they have foreseen that the development, transformation, and impact of the Liu Bao tea industry would be so closely tied to this piece of history over the years. In the past one hundred plus years, Liu Bao tea was continuously exported overseas via the ancient tea boat route's overseas extension, seeping into the lives of consumers in Hong Kong, Macau, and Southeast Asian countries, affecting their daily habits. Simultaneously, overseas consumer markets also pushed back through the ancient tea boat route, boosting the…

The mystery of the raw materials for 99 Yichanghao. 99 Yichanghao is often positioned in the market as: the first large-scale production of Yiwu wild arbor tea by a private tea factory, and it is considered the ancestor of today's pure single-origin teas. (The concept of "wild tea" was popularized by Taiwanese people in earlier years, now we generally call it "ancient tree tea" or "arbor tea.") Prior to this, in the era dominated by the China Tea trademark, state-owned tea factories produced blended products. It's not to say that blending is bad, but after decades, the market remained unchanged, with packaging and raw materials remaining the same, which inevitably became monotonous. In contrast, 99 Yichanghao, with its orange packaging, still appears rustic yet fashionable even today. Regarding the raw materials, it can be definitively stated that the raw materials for 99 Yichanghao were indeed arbor teas. Why? Zou Shouyuan, an eyewitness, told me an unknown story. There was originally a town enterprise called "Yiwu Tea Factory" in Yiwu Township, which mainly produced baked green tea, under the management of the Yiwu Township Enterprise Office. In 1999, due to owing bank loans, the tea factory was unable to pay its…

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.…

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.…

Today is May Day, a festival for everyone. No matter your occupation, gender, age, or background, it is the combined efforts of all that have created a prosperous and civilized modern society. Gorky said that labor is the source of all joy and goodness in the world. The flowers of our dreams can only bloom splendidly when watered by labor; any form of hard work undertaken by workers deserves recognition and respect. In many familiar and unfamiliar corners, there are countless figures engaged in diligent work. They shoulder their responsibilities, honor their duties with sweat, repay society with conscience, and adorn the world with their efforts. They have different names and hold various positions. They are teachers, doctors, police officers, sanitation workers… They are conscientious and dedicated, and every effort they make deserves respect and recognition. A salute to all workers – you've worked hard, and happy holidays! As May Day arrives, the air fills with the fragrance of tea. The spring light is warm, and all things flourish. Set aside the busyness, enjoy a moment of tranquility, choose a quiet place, brew a pot of fine tea, and savor its sweetness and freshness. Let a good cup of tea…

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…

On cold days, sitting by the window savoring tea, with ample sunlight flooding the tea setting.A tea setting laid out, a corner of the world chosen; three to five close friends, savoring tea and emptying their minds; listening to music and meditating, enjoying every moment. In the midst of a busy life, there's always a chance to relax and enjoy the beauty of life. Meeting up with three to five close friends, savoring tea and emptying our minds, listening to music and meditating, is undoubtedly an excellent way to do so. Decorating one's tea setting with light and warm tones, making tea life less gloomy like a cold winter, bringing a touch of warmth to oneself and those who partake in tea. The Song Dynasty poet Song Qingzhi wrote a piece called “Opening the Furnace Day Essay”: “...paper quilts filled with new down, tea bowls brewing fine spring water. Though it may be just a small space, there's a delightful sense of spring.” It can be seen that during this season, if one could brew a pot of tea at home, even the smallest and simplest of houses would seem to have a warm spring atmosphere. Select a quiet corner,…

With a desire for tea, I rise to brew it. Boiling water in an iron kettle, I slowly pour it over the leaves, and soon the fragrance fills my study, making the surroundings come alive with vibrant energy. The freshly brewed tea is a bit too hot, so I usually wait for it to cool down a bit before drinking, which allows me to better appreciate its subtle flavors. While waiting for the tea to cool, I can quietly admire the beauty of the tea itself. For a long time, I had the habit of drinking the tea immediately after brewing and refilling as needed, without pausing to truly savor it. The rich red tea is poured into a transparent lotus-shaped glass cup, taking on the shape of the vessel. The cup and the tea meet each other, illuminating one another like a lamp in the study, subtly changing the light. Watching the petals of the cup unfold is delightful. Seen against the light, the tea becomes even clearer, and the red color more vibrant. Holding the cup in both hands feels like embracing a liquid warmth. This is akin to Wang Yangming's words: "When you look at this flower,…

Pu'er Tea Historical and Tribute Tea Zhou Dynasty The history of Pu'er tea is very long; as early as over 3,000 years ago during the period of King Wu's campaign against the state of Shang, the ancient tea-growing people, the Pu people, had already presented tea to King Wu of Zhou. At that time, however, it was not yet known as Pu'er tea. The Bangwei transitional ancient tea tree is a living fossil left behind by the ancient Pu people's cultivation and domestication of tea plants. Han Dynasty According to "The Records of the Grand Historian: The Western Regions," "The Kunming tribes have no leaders and are good at raiding and robbing, often killing and plundering Han envoys, making communication impossible. However, it is heard that to the west, some thousand miles away, there is an elephant-riding country called Dianyue, which traders from Shu sometimes reach." According to "The Annals of Xishuangbanna Prefecture," "In the 12th year of Yongping in the Eastern Han Dynasty (69 AD), Yongchang Commandery was established, and the region of Xishuangbanna fell under its jurisdiction." Jin Dynasty According to "The Records of Huayang Kingdom: Southern Regions," written by Chang Qum of the Jin dynasty, "Within Yongchang…

As stated in the book "Newly Compiled Yunnan General Gazetteer: Examination of Local Products - Tea," written in the 1940s, "The name Puer tea holds a special place among Chinese teas, far surpassing those from Anhui, Fujian, Zhejiang, and other regions." Puer tea is a gift from heaven and also one of nature's most generous gifts to humanity. It is a purely natural product that has survived the process of natural selection. As time progresses and technology advances, we should have a deeper understanding and appreciation of Puer tea. Puer tea is a solid-state naturally post-fermented tea. Microorganisms and enzymes invisible to the naked eye participate in the fermentation process, producing secondary metabolites with beneficial biological activity. These substances provide functions such as antibacterial, anti-tumor, antioxidant properties, and promote metabolism in the human body. In line with the conventional thinking of most tea-producing areas in China, if we categorize teas by geographical location, color, or production method, Puer tea cannot be grouped together with them. Puer historically served as a distribution center for Puer tea, unlike teas named after their places of origin like Longjing, Huangshan Maofeng, Xinyang Maojian, and Wuyi rock teas. Some people classify raw Puer tea as…

Echo once said: Drinking tea, the first infusion is as bitter as life, the second as sweet as love, and the third as light as a breeze. Chinese people like to compare love to tea—the natural floral fragrance in tea symbolizes the sweetness of love; the bright, clean tea broth represents its purity; and the taste of tea resonates with the enduring nature of love. The coming together of two hearts is like the fusion of tea and water—a brave and sincere union. A long-standing, accumulated emotion is much like a tea broth that invites contemplation. When compared to love, tea takes on an added layer of lingering romance. From meeting, getting to know each other, to staying together, we experience winds and rains. The twists and turns of time turn seasons into memories of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. And some stories are about turning around after many twists and turns, only to find what you were looking for all along. There are countless teas in the world, each with its own charm, and love shares many similarities with tea. Believe that one will drink many types of tea and encounter many kinds of love in their lifetime. Some…

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…