Tea Poems

Leaves fall

where no green earth remains:

a person at his ease,

wears a plain, white robe.

With simplicity and plainness

his original nature still,

what need to practice

"calming of the heart."

Chia-Tao (779-843)

Tea Sounds

Pine winds and juniper rains first arrive; Quickly I lift brass bottle to leave bamboo stove.

Waiting until after voices heard all fall silent; One bowl of Spring Snow surpasses fine wine.

Song-dynasty Luo Da Jing

This tea poem is a teaching of the secrets of listening to tea water boiling. The timing is crucial to making a perfect cup of green tea. When the water boils is should sound like rains falling from juniper branches....This is when you lift the tea kettle from the heat. Then allow the water to be silent before you pour it over the tea. Some tea master felt melted snow made a superior cup of tea...

Spirit of Tea

"Tea tempers the spirit, harmonizes the mind,

dispels lassitude and relieves fatigue,

awakens the thought and prevents drowsiness."

Lu Yu, The Classic Art of Tea

The Study of Tea

“Even though one studies the tea industry until old age

one can never learn all the names of types of teas.”

Fujian saying

Seven Treasures of Tea

Seven bowls of tea bring seven advantages:

one, it promotes the production of body fluids and quenches thirst;

two, it refreshes the mind;

three, it helps digestion;

four, it induces sweating to relieve the common cold;

five, it helps fat people reduce weight;

six, it activates thinking and strengthens memory;

and seven, it ensures longevity.”

- Lu Tong, Tang dynasty.