I. Introduction
Tea is a national beverage in China, originating from ancient times and carrying with it thousands of years of culture and wisdom. Like a beautiful poem, it has been gracefully passed down through history. Among the various types of tea, Fu tea, a type of dark tea, attracts many tea enthusiasts with its unique “golden flowers.”
If life is like tea, then suffering is a form of fulfillment. How can one understand the deepest flavors of life without enduring some hardship? Those who endure stand out; those who do not, fall behind. This is the true essence of life. And the golden flowers of Fu tea are like precious gems in the journey of life, revealing their value and uniqueness only after being refined by time.
II. The Mystery of the Golden Flowers
Many tea enthusiasts have heard of Fu brick tea and the unique golden flowers within. But what exactly are these golden flowers? How do they grow? And how do they benefit human health? These questions, shrouded in mystery, await our exploration.
The golden flowers are actually golden-yellow granules that grow inside Fu brick tea. This seemingly small yet potent substance is a microorganism known as *Eurotium cristatum*. The process of developing these flowers is a characteristic technique of Fu brick tea, where this dominant fungus grows and reproduces under specific temperature and humidity conditions.
*Eurotium cristatum* is a harmless, active fungus that produces a series of beneficial functional chemical substances through its metabolic processes, such as lipase, protease, α-amylase, polysaccharide compounds, and lipolytic enzymes.
III. The Unique Charm of Golden Flowers in Fu Brick Tea
The Health benefits of Fu brick tea largely stem from these mysterious and beautiful golden flowers. They contribute to its unique qualities in two main ways:
Firstly, extracellular enzymes released by *Eurotium cristatum* and other microbes serve as a powerful catalyst for the transformation of substances in dark tea during processing. These enzymes catalyze the oxidation, hydrolysis, polymerization, and conversion of internal substances in Fu brick tea, significantly enhancing its taste and nutritional content.
Secondly, *Eurotium cristatum* and other microbes consume polyphenols, amino acids, sugars, and cellulose from the tea leaves, digesting, absorbing, and metabolizing them. Their metabolic products are then re-released onto the tea leaves, becoming components that define the quality and functionality of the dark tea.
For this reason, golden flowers are often referred to as “drinkable probiotics,” with their health benefits widely recognized. Researchers have identified over 90 trace metabolic products in dark tea golden flowers, which work synergistically to produce superior lipid-lowering and blood Sugar-regulating effects compared to other types of tea. They have a positive impact on regulating digestion and controlling weight, making them particularly suitable for individuals with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and those who frequently consume alcohol.
IV. The Growth Process of Golden Flowers
To grow golden flowers, Compressed tea bricks go through two stages: the flowering period and the drying period, taking about 30 days in total.
The temperature during the flowering period should be controlled between 20 to 24 degrees Celsius, lasting about 20 to 30 days. In this phase, *Eurotium cristatum* grows vigorously in a suitable environment, much like new life.
After the golden flowers have grown, they undergo a drying period of 7 to 10 days, with temperatures controlled at 30 to 40 degrees Celsius. This process removes excess moisture from the tea bricks, allowing the golden flowers to stabilize within the Fu brick tea.
*Eurotium cristatum* is a living organism. Freshly produced Fu brick tea contains vibrant and full golden flowers, whose metabolic processes continue. As the Fu brick tea ages, the color of the golden flowers gradually changes from bright to pale yellow and eventually to a light white, while the granules become smaller and form tiny spots. This natural transformation process mirrors the ups and downs of life.
V. Resonance Between Golden Flowers and Life
In a lifetime, just as plants have their seasons, we are like golden flowers on a Fu tea leaf. In our youth, we bloom on the branches, absorbing the sun and moon's glory in the brilliance of our youth. But one day, fate will take us off the branch and set us on a new, perilous journey.
In our youthful years, we are like budding golden flowers, full of vitality and hope, holding dreams and bravely pursuing our ideals. However, life is not always smooth sailing, and challenges and difficulties, like storms, continually test us.
When faced with adversity, we, like the golden flowers in Fu tea, enter a long process of fermentation and sedimentation. During this dark period, we must remain steadfast in our beliefs, continuously refining ourselves, accumulating experience, and improving ourselves.
Only by enduring the difficult moments and overcoming countless trials can we, like the golden flowers in Fu tea, shed our initial immaturity and impetuousness, transforming the hardships of time into wisdom and strength in life.
In the end, when we look back on our past, we realize that the challenges were not stumbling blocks but stepping stones to our success. Those who persevere will bloom the most beautiful flowers in the midst of adversity, just as the golden flowers in Fu tea, after being refined by time, reveal their unique charm and value.
VI. Conclusion
The golden flowers of Fu tea are more than just microorganisms; they are symbols of life and manifestations of perseverance. Through countless tests and sedimentations over time, they bring us health and deliciousness.
As we savor Fu tea, let us also draw strength from the life journey of the golden flowers, courageously facing life's challenges with persistence and belief, writing our own splendid stories. May every person who loves life blossom like the golden flowers in Fu tea, radiating the most brilliant light after being honed by time.