In the long river of history, Chinese traditional culture shines like a brilliant pearl, radiating endless brilliance. Poetry, as one of its splendid blossoms, conveys the wisdom and emotions of the ancients through its concise language and profound imagery. In the distant Tang Dynasty, the poet Li Bai, with his bold and unrestrained brushstrokes, painted vivid pictures of magnificent natural landscapes for us.
“A waterfall plunges three thousand feet, as if the Milky Way has fallen from the ninth heaven.” When we recite these timeless lines, we can almost see the majestic waterfall cascading down the cliff, feeling the surging passion in the poet's heart. These few words encapsulate the poet's awe and admiration for nature, becoming a classic in Chinese ancient poetry. Just like these lines, White Tea also has its unique charm and essence, which needs to be savored and understood with our hearts.
Mentioning white Tea, it is like a gentle beauty quietly blooming its beauty over time. A tea enthusiast once asked, “Where does the essence of white tea lie—in which infusion?” This is a question worth exploring deeply.
Some say that the first infusion of white tea is the most essential. When the newly unfurled white tea meets boiling water, it instantly blooms into a delicate ivory white. The tea liquor is sprinkled with abundant white down, resembling tiny stars, clear and sparkling with fine glimmers. These tiny white down contain rich amino acids, which can enhance the body's immunity. In this first infusion, the beneficial substances in the white down are released in large quantities, reaching the peak of nutritional value in the tea liquor. With a light sip, the subtle sweetness turns into a mild freshness, like a mountain spring flowing in the mouth, refreshing the spirit. Its aroma is delicate but not ostentatious, its taste refreshing but not heavy, truly embodying the essence of white tea.
However, others believe that the true flavor of white tea emerges from the second and third infusions. After the first infusion of boiling water, the white tea, like a sleeping beauty awakened, slowly unfolds and releases more aroma. In the second infusion, the mysterious veil of white tea is lifted, revealing a fresh and elegant floral fragrance, as if a breeze passes through the bamboo forest, bringing the scent of grass and magnolia, touching the depths of tea enthusiasts' hearts. At this point, the color of the tea liquor becomes warm, presenting a delicate golden hue. By the third infusion, the aroma and taste of white tea reach their most balanced and prosperous moment. The color of the tea liquor is even fuller, golden with a faint luster, the aroma becoming richer and more lasting, with both floral fragrance and the freshness of grass. It feels like being in a sea of flowers and a forest path, each sip filled with the rhythm of nature. The taste is fresh and mellow, neither bitter nor heavy, and the unique flavor of white tea blossoms fully in this infusion.
The fourth infusion can be seen as a turning point. In this infusion, the aroma begins to fade, but still maintains a rich and mellow taste. The tea liquor remains smooth, melting in the mouth with a full texture. Savoring carefully, the base notes not only have floral fragrance but also fruit aromas gradually emerge. Such a complex yet harmonious spectrum of aromas reaches the finale of the tea aroma symphony in this infusion.
Some people are fond of Li Bai's youthful vigor in “a waterfall plunges three thousand feet,” while others prefer his more mature “the small boat has passed myriad mountains.” For white tea, it is similar. Some people prefer the stage when the taste is rich and the aroma is strong, while others favor the aftertaste that appears after several infusions of boiling water. Starting from the fifth infusion, although the aroma and color of the tea liquor are not as striking as in the previous infusions, the unique charm of white tea becomes more prominent. The color of the tea liquor deepens, golden with a hint of amber's warmth. The aroma is no longer simply fresh or rich, but layered and intricately woven. The taste is mellow but not at its peak, light yet still with an aftertaste. At this point, the tea liquor is like an old man who has experienced many vicissitudes, leisurely telling stories of time, each story carrying the sedimentation and wisdom of years. Although the taste gradually fades, that elegance and tranquility leave a lingering aftertaste. In the eyes of some tea enthusiasts, such a mellow taste is also considered the essence of white tea.
In fact, the essence of white tea is not limited to the tea liquor after brewing. The quality of white tea itself is an important part of its essence. High-quality white tea is picked during the appropriate season and goes through careful production processes, preserving the original flavor and nutritional components of the leaves. From the freshness of the buds to the unfolding of the leaves, every step embodies the hard work and wisdom of tea farmers.
Furthermore, the process of tasting tea is also an embodiment of the essence of white tea. When we calm our minds, prepare the tea utensils, add the tea leaves, pour in boiling water, and wait for the tea liquor to Brew, these actions are not just a ritual but also a process of dialogue with the tea and communication with our inner selves. In this process, we can feel the flow of time and experience inner peace and tranquility.
When sharing white tea with fellow tea enthusiasts, the emotional resonance extends the essence of white tea. Sitting together, savoring the same pot of white tea, exchanging feelings and insights. At this moment, white tea becomes a bond connecting people emotionally, bringing hearts closer.
Just like Li Bai's poetry, its essence lies not only in the surface beauty of the words but also in the interpretations and life philosophies derived from them by later generations. We feel the beauty of Chinese poetry from Li Bai's verses and understand the essence of tea ceremony from drinking white tea. This is the true value and essence of reciting poetry and Drinking Tea.
Imagine a tranquil afternoon, where sunlight filters through the window onto the table, and you brew a pot of white tea. The freshness and nutrition of the first infusion, the fragrant aromas from the second to the fourth infusions, and the mellow aftertaste from the fifth and subsequent infusions, each brings different feelings and surprises. In these repeated tastings, we seem to embark on a wondrous journey with the white tea, experiencing its process from budding to blooming and then settling.
White tea is not just a beverage; it is also an attitude towards life and a pursuit of beauty. It teaches us to pause and calm our minds in our fast-paced lives, to appreciate those subtle yet precious moments. Let us find tranquility and satisfaction in the world of white tea, savoring the true essence of life.
So, whether you are a newcomer just stepping into the world of white tea or an old tea enthusiast with deep affection for it, may you take the time to feel every detail and change in white tea, finding your own essence within it. Because in each cup of white tea, there is an abundance of beauty and possibility.