In the long history of Chinese tea culture, both techniques, tea ordering and tea brewing, occupy an important position. Tea ordering is a unique form of tea ceremony in Song Dynasty, while tea brewing is a representative of modern tea ceremony. Let's explore these two tea arts together and experience the beauty of traditional and modern tea arts.
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What is ordering tea?
Tea ordering, also known as "Tea Hundred Plays", is an exquisite tea art originated in the Song Dynasty. The process of tea ordering was described in detail by Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty in "The Great View of Tea", and this tea art has become a symbol of Song Dynasty tea culture due to its complex techniques and unique cultural background.
The basic process of tea ordering is to crush the tea cakes into fine powder, use the tea brush (bamboo tea brush) to mix the tea powder with hot water, stir quickly to form a thick tea soup, and finally form a delicate foam on the surface of the tea soup. The more delicate and long-lasting the foam is, the more skillful the tea ordering technique is.
Historical background of tea ordering
The Song Dynasty was an era that emphasized the rule of literature and the pursuit of quality of life. With social stability and economic development, tea culture flourished in the Song Dynasty, and tea ordering gradually became part of the elegant life of the literati. Tea ordering is not only a way of drinking tea, but also a reflection of aesthetic and spiritual pursuit.
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In the Song Dynasty, tea ordering was often combined with "tea fights", which became an activity for the literati to exchange and compare their skills with each other. The tea fighters competed with their own good tea to see who could make the most delicate and long-lasting foam.
Tools and Techniques for Tea Ordering
Tea ordering requires the use of specialized tools, including tealights, tea brushes and tea bowls. Among them, the tea brushes are particularly delicate and are usually made of old bamboo to ensure their toughness and durability. The art of tea ordering requires long hours of practice and exquisite techniques to complete in just a few minutes.
The process of tea ordering is very much about speed and skill. From the beginning of the ordering process to the completion of the painting, it usually needs to be completed within 10 minutes to ensure the temperature of the tea broth and the stability of the bubbles. Skilled tea tasters can paint on the surface of the tea broth to reveal a rich artistic effect.
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The Modern Art of Making Tea
Compared with ordering tea, modern tea brewing pays more attention to the original flavor and aroma of tea leaves, and the methods of tea brewing are more diversified. The basic steps of making tea include warming the cup, washing the tea, brewing, dividing the tea and tasting the tea, and each step has its own unique instructions.
Tea sets commonly used in modern tea making include teapots, teacups and tea plates. Different tea leaves need to use different tea sets and brewing methods to give full play to the aroma and flavor of the tea. For example, green tea should be brewed in glass cups to appreciate its clear soup color; black tea should be brewed in purple sand pots to maintain its strong aroma.
Tea ordering vs. tea brewing
Although tea ordering and tea brewing are both important parts of the tea ceremony, there are significant differences between the two in terms of technique and cultural background. Tea ordering emphasizes the combination of skill and art, focusing on the formation of bubbles and the aesthetics of the tea broth; while tea brewing pays more attention to the quality of the tea leaves and the taste of the tea broth.
Tea ordering is a highly performative tea ceremony, often performed in social settings, and has high ornamental value. Brewing tea is a more everyday way of drinking tea, focusing more on the personal experience and enjoyment of drinking tea.
concluding remarks
Both the traditional tea ordering and the modern tea brewing embody the essence of tea art and the rich connotation of tea culture. Through understanding and experiencing these two types of tea ceremony, we can not only feel the aroma and flavor of tea, but also appreciate the profoundness and infinite charm of tea culture.
Let's enjoy this serenity and elegance in the process of tea tasting and experience the good time brought by the tea art.
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