Ancient Art of Tea

Book excerpt: The Ancient Art of Tea is a delightful look at the philosophy, history, and culture of tea in China. The health benefits of tea, whether white, green, oolong or black, are well known in our world today. However, creating the perfect, healthy cup of tea is a process few people genuinely understand. As expert Warren Peltier explains, making an ideal cup of tea is a dynamic process that requires the right environment, clear spring water, a suitable fire to boil water, skill in steeping tea, and a deep understanding of tea connoisseurship. The Ancient Art of Tea offers a thorough, much-needed guide for tea lovers. Peltier's commentaries include discussion of: Zhang You Xin's Chronicle on Water for Brewing Tea. Xu Ci Shu's Discourse on Fire. Lu Yu's Description of the "Three Boils." Chen Ji Ru on the Merits of Tasting Tea with Company. Gu Yuan Qing's Eight Requisites for Tasting Tea. The Ancient Art of Tea parses historic tea texts to offer a broader perspective and deeper insight into the topics that surround the tea-drinking experience. The book contains vital information to assist tea drinkers in their quest for yet another pot of delicious tea. It teaches the two fundamental secrets to tea as practiced in ancient China--technique and taste. These exemplify some of the basic concepts of the philosophy of tea, which greatly enhances the enjoyment of the beverage. Not only an exhaustive source of tea knowledge, The Ancient Art of Tea is also a significant volume in the study of Chinese tea and is sure to become a classic in its own right.