1. The Confusion
Drinking tea turned out to be the same as studying philosophy, it is a lifetime struggle and it is full of confusions. The deeper I dug, the more confused I became, so that I couldn't extricate myself.
What kind of tea pots should I use, purple clay or porcelain? What about Taiwanese firewood works, are they as good as said?
Should I use an iron kettle or a clay pot to boil water? Or even a glass pot or a steel kettle? What about water, mineral, tap or mountain spring water? Which one will enhance the quality of tea?
When we talk about tea leaves, there are even more questions. Just say Pu'er, there are so many brands, and their prices vary so much.
Don't underestimate all these questions, and you better consult a master for answers. But if there are two masters, they will give you two sets of answers. Each master has his/her own viewpoints which will confuse you even more.
It's not easy to drink a cup of tea!
2. The Style
After drinking tea for so many years in my life, I have met many masters. Of course, confusion is indispensable. But I do have my personal persistence.
First, I like drinking Pu'er, but not sticking to any brands. I will take it if I like it.
Secondly, I advocate eating snacks while drinking tea on condition that the snacks will not affect the flavor of the drink.
Third, I pay attention to the tea ware and brewing, small pots and cups, fresh water and live fire. I am obsessed with but not bound by materials; pottery, porcelain, purple sand, wood-fired and even silverware, each gives a different flavor. I don't pursue expensive tea ware nor look for appreciation. I often meet teapot sellers who focus on whether the pots will appreciate quickly. Now I am a teapot seller too, and I often remind myself not to see from that angle.
Japanese people advocate harmony and respect when drinking tea and I don't understand much. But referring to Chinese traditions, I propose diligence, solemn, harmony and relaxed (Note 1) for your reference.
The first is diligence. Drinking tea leisurely is the state of mind, but it should show a proactive attitude. Drink more, see more! Drinking tea every day, making tea sets, feeling the tea ware, and tasting the tea, so as to enter the world of tea.
The second is solemn and respectful. I'm in favor of drinking tea leisurely, but some details can't be ignored. For example, a teapot for a special type of tea, and different brewing methods such as Pu'er needs high-temperature water and Longjing requires less hot water, etc. All these details must be observed.
The third is harmony. A peaceful and harmonious state of mind is necessary for tea tasting. Harmony also means generosity and tolerance. Harmony but difference. Stop arguing over who invented the ripe tea, the size of the Chinese character “Zhong”, or whether the point of the Chinese character “Tea” is pointed or round. We should simply return to the tea itself!
Finally, it is relaxed which can be interpreted as stop. The pressure of life is already too great. Drinking tea is for a break. Let tea ease the mind and bring out new world. This is the highest state of drinking tea.
Some people buy teapots for display while some people stock tea for investment. Different people have different aspirations. When one drinks tea, it is better to have one’s own style. Otherwise, it is easy to get lost and dizzy. To take Yang Zhenning's statement here, “style is not a feature, but closer to taste” (Note 2).
Note 1, Hu Shi's warm advice to Chen Zhifan “In the Spring Breeze”
Note 2, quoted from Chen Zhifan's “一星如月"
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