Tea is gentle and mild, lacking the fiery stimulation of wine or the rich allure of Coffee, yet it offers a clearer fragrance and elegance than water, with a delightful sweetness and richness.
The Book of Songs says: ‘A daughter fair as tea.' The word ‘tea' here is used to convey a sense of beauty and charm.
The fragrant jasmine-scented tea. Even though the floral aroma has been preserved through roasting and stir-frying over the seasons, it still comes across as vivid and fresh. It evokes the delicate scent of a maiden's first love. In the tea's vapor, one can almost see a young girl in simple attire, smiling and murmuring from across the riverbank.
The refined Bi Luo Chun. Its very name conjures an image of a clear-eyed, fresh-faced young woman walking along the fields. A light sip, and one imagines a classical beauty. Confined within the walls of a grand residence, she cares for her husband and children. Though beautiful, she does not seek attention, and her elegant fragrance often subtly emanates from her every gesture.
Cloud Mist exudes a reserved chill. When boiling water is poured into it, the mist that rises remains aloof and detached, imbued with a transcendent Zen-like quality. Like a woman of quiet disposition, it is difficult to truly ignite her with passion. She calmly observes you from afar, yet it is hard to penetrate her inner world.
Mao Jian is the most romantic. Tender, enchanting, and full of grace, it exudes the aura of a noble and mature woman. Some women are born with a natural softness, charming without being vulgar, sweet without being cloying, like a delicately made mung bean cake. Of course, this tea requires good water and the proper way of tasting to fully appreciate its nuances.
Tie Guan Yin has a long-lasting and rich flavor, with a solid foundation. Much like a woman who practices humility and simplicity, all her past experiences, whether joyous or sorrowful, have become distant memories. What remains is a faint sense of melancholic clarity, which leaves a lingering aftertaste upon tasting.
Dian Hong, Pu'er, Longjing, Zhen Mei… each type of tea represents a different kind of woman, with myriad emotions swirling and dissipating within the cup, endlessly intertwining.
“A thousand years may pass, but nothing compares to fine books and good friends; a life of tranquility is found entirely in the bowl and the smoke of tea.”
In a lifetime, how many things can truly captivate your heart, and how many can you take with you to the next world? Happiness and heartache alike will eventually fade, just like tea.
After Drinking Tea, we return to the world, imbued with its clarity, and our love and hearts become purified.
After drinking tea, we re-enter the bustling world, carrying the ease of clouds and water, our steps and burdens becoming lighter.