When it comes to drinking Tea, the ancients were far more meticulous than we are. They insisted on good tea, beautiful teaware, and a refined atmosphere. A pleasant environment for tea drinking can elevate the experience to new heights. Follow these six simple tips inspired by ancient practices to instantly enhance your tea-drinking ambiance!

1. Savor Tea with Incense

The ancient literati enjoyed burning incense while sipping tea. The fragrance of incense can soothe the mind and spirit, enhancing the overall experience when combined with the aroma of tea. Tea enters the body through the mouth, affecting both body and mind, while incense enters through the nose, permeating the body's meridians. Together, they complement each other beautifully, aligning with nature and nurturing the heart and body in a delightful way.

2. Flower Arrangements on the Tea Table

Floral arrangements have always been an essential part of the tea room, alongside tea and the tea ceremony. A tea table, a Cup of fragrant tea, and a vase of flowers. The flowers, stripped of their wild exuberance, become delicate and serene like the moon, adding a touch of liveliness to the tea table. The leaves, no longer rustling in the breeze, become a quiet presence at the bottom of the cup, gentle and elegant. This reflects the tea ceremony's reverence for nature, making its essence vivid and vibrant.

3. Hanging Artwork in the Tea Room

Hanging artwork, also known as scrolls, is a crucial element in decorating a tea room. Typically, only one piece (or a few that are harmonious) is hung. The art does not need to be elaborate but should reflect the host's taste and express their thoughts. As such, the artwork in a tea room tends to be understated yet sophisticated, perhaps a simple painting or a piece of calligraphy.

4. Embrace Nature

During the Tang and Song dynasties, tea drinking was widespread, inspiring poets to write countless poems about tea. Xu Wei described the tea-drinking experience as akin to an elegant stage play: “Tea is best enjoyed in a refined hermitage, among clouds and pines, beside a bamboo stove, with hermits and scholars. It's perfect for solitary contemplation under a cold night sky, next to pines and the moon, amidst flowers and birds, beside green moss and fresh grass, with pure hands drawing water, red makeup sweeping snow, fires lit at the boat's prow, and twin smoke rising from the bamboo grove.” The ritualistic atmosphere suggests that tea became almost a spiritual practice!

5. Gathering Friends Over Tea

In the Tang Dynasty, tea drinking became a popular custom among common people, and a large number of tea-related poems emerged, turning tea into a social bond among literati. Poems like Du Fu's “On the platform at sunset, sipping tea in the spring breeze,” or Lu Shixiu's “Inviting guests with floral tea, conversations flow over cups of tea,” paint a picture of refined gentlemen enjoying lively conversation.

6. Reading While Drinking Tea

Tea and books have always symbolized elegance, both requiring slow appreciation. During leisure time, brewing a pot of clear tea and picking up a book can be a simple yet high-quality experience. The Sweet tea soothes the throat, and insights are gleaned from the words on the page, with thoughts dancing along with the tea's aroma.

Although tea leaves are small, there are many nuances to consider. Different times and settings can bring about varied tea-drinking experiences.