Ordinary, simple
Tea, originally just a common leaf, transformed water's taste when the leaf fell into it, and thus, tea was born. Sen no Rikyu, the Zen master, said: “Know that the essence of the tea ceremony is merely boiling water and making tea.” Yet, tea is more than just a common leaf—it embodies the profound health and longevity concepts of Chinese civilization. As stated in Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica: Shennong tasted hundreds of Herbs, encountering seventy-two toxins in a single day, but found tea to detoxify him.
Originally, tea was simply an agricultural byproduct, akin to vegetables and grains, a simple byproduct of agricultural production. However, it is more than just an ordinary agricultural product; influenced by factors such as cultivation, stir-frying, and processing, even teas of the same type can yield vastly different sensory experiences.
However you treat tea, so it will treat you
Different attitudes towards tea result in different returns from it, including appearance, taste, aroma, aftertaste, and even the expected Health benefits. This applies to tea makers, sellers, and drinkers alike.
Tea makers
Tea makers produce a myriad of flavors. Each maker's initial intentions and attitudes towards tea result in significantly different qualities in the finished product.
Some see tea only as a means to profit, leading them to compromise its natural state. Others, after only a few years, consider themselves masters of the craft and treat tea-making as a routine process, resulting in mediocre teas. Still others position themselves as low-cost, high-volume producers, neglecting quality, which inevitably leads to difficulties over time.
On the other hand, some prioritize quality above all else, meticulously crafting each batch. Such dedication earns them rich rewards and a good reputation. Some remain humble and meticulous even after decades of experience, respecting the nature of tea, and are rewarded with its pure and authentic aroma. Lastly, some remain true to their original intention of not betraying tea or its consumers, striving to make every batch exceptional, and are eventually recognized for their solid foundation and far-reaching reputation.
Tea shops
Tea shops serve as the bridge of trust between the source and consumers. Regardless of societal changes, they hold significant value. However, their survival varies based on the owners' attitudes towards tea.
Some shops place integrity at the core of their business, prioritizing quality in their selection, becoming trusted representatives of their customers. Conversely, others seek endless profits, treating tea as a tool for excessive gains, ultimately becoming purveyors of subpar and fake products, facing inevitable downfall.
Tea drinkers
Tea drinkers consume tea for leisure and health. Each drinker has a unique relationship with tea, leading to distinct experiences and health benefits.
Many adopt a utilitarian approach, choosing based solely on price without regard for type, quality, or authenticity. They may drink any tea, regardless of its origin or quality, and after years of consumption, still feel ignorant about tea, with no noticeable health benefits. Conversely, some form deep connections with tea, selecting based on personal constitution and season, enjoying a refined lifestyle and a serene, tranquil mindset.
Some preserve tea in its original state and Brew it with care, receiving fresh, sweet, or intense flavors. Others handle and brew tea casually, unaware that there are proper methods, leading to a gradual loss of taste and flavor, preventing tea from fulfilling its potential.
brewing tea
Brewing is the story of tea's life.
A simple act of brewing encapsulates the entire life of tea. It gently awakens the slumbering leaves, teaching us not just a method of brewing, but a way of being: soft yet resilient, unhurried and calm.
Skeptics might argue: Tea is just processed leaves. True, they are leaves, but once seeds sleeping in the earth, experiencing snow like a blanket, rain and mist quietly embracing them, and bowing humbly under the scorching sun. They await discovery and harvest by farmers, then undergo withering, fixation, rolling, fermentation, and drying—a rebirth through fire.
Like people, tea experiences bitterness before sweetness. Through sunny and rainy days, snow, frost, and fog, the rustling of leaves, the nibbling of green leafhoppers, and the light leaps of grasshoppers, these are the initial trials of tea.
Conclusion
“If one gives me a peach, I return a plum.” Tea is a spirit that repays kindness. For tea makers, sellers, and drinkers, it is never just a simple cup. Many makers dedicate their lives to simple beliefs, exploring techniques and organic farming, creating teas with distinctive styles and characteristics. Treat tea with sincerity, and it will reward you with its best flavor and a peaceful, focused demeanor beyond the cup. Thus, your attitude towards tea reflects your attitude towards life.