Magical functions of tea
3 min readWhen tea was first introduced to Europe, it was warmly accepted and even acclaimed as a”blessing from God, and people went so far as to congratulate themselves on being alive at such a time when tea leaves were found In China, love for tea is just as, if not more, ardent Liu Zhenliang, a tea master of the late Tang Dynasty, whose birth and death years are unknown, once put forward the theory of the”ten virtues “of tea: tea is tasty tea can maintain health; tea can drive away stinking odors tea can prevent the attack of diseases; tea can cultivate energy in the human body; tea can relieve depression tea can improve manners; tea can convey respect; tea can soothe the mind; and tea can uphold justice. This was not merely the personal view of Liu Zhenliang, but ideas shared by a majority of the Chinese people.
Drinking tea is to satisfy the needs of the body as well as the mind. A cup of refreshing tea is able to naturally relieve a person of thirst while giving comfort and leasure. according to traditional chinese medicine drinking tea can cure a variety of diseases, because the slightly bitter and astringent tea contains elements salutary for the body. This has been proven by modern medicine.
Chinese people are fond of tea because it helps to satisfy their physical and, more, spiritual needs The chinese also use tea to express respect to purify the mind, and to better perceive the meaning of life
To tea drinkers, the first and foremost pleasure derived from drinking tea is”cleansing. Tea prefers to grow in clean places.The cleaner a place，the better the quality of the tea it nurtures Fine teas usually grow on high mountains，enveloped in clouds and mists and in a clear atmosphere.In such an environment，transparent new tea leaves growand are picked with the dew still clinging to them，hence the tea leaves carry the refreshing air of nature.A cup of fine tea is crystal clear and refreshingly fragrant，so that it can help the body become cleansed and balanced The second important facet is that of”seeking leisure.The bustling world full of confusion and argument，weariness and exhaustion，damages the mind and body of human beings.
A cup of refreshing tea can parry the sound and fury of the secular world at arms length.In the process of sipping tea，the mind may become as calm as a lake on a windless deep night when the moon shines brightly luminating the world. a cup of tea may open up a new, boundless world The third important feature is that of”paying respect. The Chinese people have long fostered the custom of expressing respect by presenting a cup of tea. They treat guests with tea as a sign of respect, regardless of whether they are thirsty or not, and guests drinking the tea feel refreshed and energized Educated people treat their guests arriving at night with tea instead of wine, a practice highly appreciated by the literati. In some places in China, there is the custom of presenting tea three times to the guests, as a sign of welcome, then of hospitality, and finally for good wishes. Presenting tea to guests demonstrates not only hospitality but also one’s respect for the guests
