Saturday, October 27, 2012

Zhang Yuan And The Tea Records

Ming Dynasty published the most number of tea books in China. The most famous and representative of these tea books is Zhang Yuan's Tea Records. The book contains more than 1,500 words. The content touched on picking tea, distinguishing tea, storing tea, identifying the temperature of the water, methods of brewing, methods of adding tea leaves, the color, fragrance and taste of tea, choosing quality spring or well water, storing water, tea sets, etc. It is notable for proposing new views on brewing tea. Zhang Yuan believed that dried green tea should be boiled with boiling water in order to achieve the true flavor of the tea. He also proposed that the teapot should be warmed before adding tea leaves. He was very particular about adding tea leaves. Zhang Yuan also proposed that when appreciating tea, the less the number of people present the better. The spirit of tea is best appreciated alone. These were all ideas not previously seen in the Classic of Tea.
Kangxi and Qianlong (Qing Dynasty) left behind many tea poems. Qianlong alone wrote more than 200 tea poems. In addition, he left 18 royally planted tea plants. He also named Beijing's Jade Springs as the top spring of the world.

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