Some say: Drinking tea is not about drinking water, but about savoring flavors. Over time, it's not even the flavor of the tea one savors, but the flavor of one's inner self and life. Most of life consists of ordinary moments, but when the mind settles down, tea always offers a taste worth savoring.

Different seasons or different times of the day correspond to different teas, much like the cooler or warmer moments in life.

It is well known that drinking tea is beneficial to health, especially when done consistently over the long term. The key to health preservation through tea lies in mastering the practice of drinking different teas for different seasons, different teas at different times of the day, and choosing teas that suit one's own physical constitution.

So, how to master the three daily cups of tea?

The following is a general guideline for people with normal constitutions under mild weather conditions. Adjustments should be made according to one's specific constitution and different seasons, especially in extreme weather.

Morning Tea: Rehydrate and Revitalize!

Drinking tea in the morning, after a whole night's rest, the body has consumed a significant amount of water, and blood concentration increases. A cup of light tea can not only quickly replenish the body's needed fluids and cleanse the digestive tract but also help lower blood pressure, dilute the blood, benefiting overall health. It can also help prevent and treat constipation. However, note that morning tea must not be strong; it should be lighter than usual.

It is better to drink black tea in the morning because it promotes blood circulation, dispels cold from the body, and ensures ample blood supply to the brain. Having a cup of black tea after breakfast every day, optionally with milk, is recommended. It is important to drink tea only after breakfast, as tea leaves contain caffeine. Drinking on an empty stomach allows the intestines to absorb too much caffeine, which can cause symptoms like palpitations and frequent urination.

Afternoon Tea: Refresh and Reduce Internal Heat

Drinking tea around 3:00 PM helps regulate the body, enhances resistance, and can prevent colds. This tea time is the most important of the day, commonly known as afternoon tea. For people with conditions like high blood pressure, high blood sugar, or high cholesterol, consistently drinking afternoon tea can achieve effects that medication sometimes cannot.

It is best to drink oolong tea or green tea in the afternoon. Generally, the body tends to have excessive liver fire around noon. Drinking green tea or oolong tea can alleviate this. Oolong teas, such as Tieguanyin, have a cool nature and enter the liver meridian. They can clear heat from the liver and gallbladder, detoxify the liver, and are rich in vitamin E, which has anti-aging properties.

Green tea enters the kidney meridian. It promotes diuresis, removes turbidity, and facilitates smoother urination. Green tea is also the richest in tea polyphenols, offering significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Evening Tea: Promote Sleep and Restore Immunity

Drinking tea in the evening is often misunderstood, with many fearing it will affect sleep. In fact, drinking tea scientifically not only doesn't affect sleep but can promote it. This time is when the human immune system is most active. Drinking a tea with higher theanine content can help the body rest and calm the nerves more quickly. The body can then more easily repair and restore the immune system and regenerate cells. It is recommended to drink some white tea or dark tea.

But definitely avoid green tea at night, as it is non-fermented and can be stimulating to the body. It is also refreshing.

To truly understand tea, one needs to respect every type of tea with sincerity, much like a destined friend. Regardless of status, one can always find something to appreciate in them.

To truly understand tea, one needs to engage with it wholeheartedly, without敷衍. Like with a friend, after learning all about their experiences, you understand their uniqueness better and know better how to interact with them.