郑, 应治

Ⅰ.The Core Logic of The Classic of Tea’s Soil Hierarchy Lu Yu’s famous judgement—“the best tea grows in weathered rock (lan-shi), next in gravelly loam (li-rang), and least in yellow earth (huang-tu)”—is not an aphorism pulled from thin air but a field-tested framework. In Lu Yu’s usage, “weathered rock” refers to rock that has undergone […]

For a long time, Americans referred to all fully oxidized teas simply as “Black Tea.” Yet as tea culture develops in the United States, and as interest in Chinese gongfu tea deepens, more tea enthusiasts and boutique brands are now choosing the term “Red Tea.” One reason for this shift is accuracy. “Red Tea” is closer

From Silk, Porcelain to Tea: How Fermentation Transformed Chinese Tea into Red Tea for Global Trade When we think of the treasures that shaped China’s image in the world, three products stand out: silk, porcelain, and tea. These commodities were not only symbols of Chinese craftsmanship and culture but also pillars of the ancient Silk

Red tea, one of the most significant categories of Chinese tea, not only has a long history in China but has also left a deep influence around the world. However, what Chinese people call “red tea” (hong cha) is commonly known in the West as “black tea.” This difference in naming has existed for centuries, and its

Yixing teapots, also known as Zisha teapots, are treasures of Chinese tea culture. But as their global popularity rises, so does misinformation. Many beginners—and even some collectors—still rely on myths or outdated tricks to judge their quality. This guide from Excellent Forest Tea will help you distinguish truth from myth, and teach you the real criteria experts

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Six Fu organs—gallbladder, small intestine, stomach, large intestine, bladder, and triple burner (San Jiao)—handle transformation, transportation, and elimination. Their smooth function is crucial for metabolism and detox. Let’s look at how three major types of tea—red, green, and oolong—support these organs via the Five Elements and meridian system. Gallbladder —

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) emphasizes the connection between the five zang organs—liver, heart, spleen, lung, and kidney—and the Five Elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each organ has its unique rhythm and energy channel, and drinking the right tea helps support its function. Liver – Black Tea (Wood) The liver governs emotions, detoxification, and

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), health is deeply tied to balance—especially the balance of the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water). This theory doesn’t only apply to food and herbs, but also to tea. According to the “Five Elements Tea” system developed by Zichen in The Dao of Tea, each type of tea

In Chinese tea culture, yellow tea is known as “the Humble Gentleman” — gentle in nature, subtle in taste, and rooted in reverence. Among the six major tea types — green, yellow, white, oolong, black, and dark — yellow tea is the least known, yet holds profound cultural significance. Though absent as a distinct category

The EU organic standard acts as a precision filter, rejecting 98% of Chinese teas through its near-zero tolerance for pesticide residues and contaminants. EU organic certification represents one of the world’s most stringent food safety standards. For China’s tea industry, this green barrier presents both challenges and opportunities – particularly as it targets the core