Today I would like to share a video about the Taiwanese tea master Jie Zhi Zhang (解致璋).
Like all tea masters, Ms. Jie also has her own philosophical views about tea and life. Here I have tried to translate what she says into English and have added some of my own opinions.
Ms. Jie reckons that when you brew tea it is essential that you have a peaceful. When you are at peace you will notice all of the subtle changes in your surroundings, the wind, how the temperature of water changes as you bring it up to the boil, and with the tea itself. All of these subtle changes will affect the results of brewed tea. By having a clear mind, you can adjust the way you make tea through the observation of all of these subtle changes.
Citing, as an example, the way in which Japanese tea ceremonies are conducted, the procedures of a Japanese tea ceremony so elegant and beautiful, but at the same time it is so formal that it doesn’t allow for any adjustments to be made in unpredictable circumstances, and thus overrides the principle of making a prefect brew for enjoyment.
In Ms. Jie’s opinion she thinks that Taiwanese Oolong tea is the most complicated tea to brew, as it is more sensitive to subtle changes under different situations. She suggests that Taiwanese Oolong tea should be brewed for a shorter period of time for each pouring so that you are more likely to taste the beauty of within these small variations.
The selection of snacks (茶點) are important for a tea ceremony, so she tends to select the snacks that will not affect flavour of the tea. The colour of the snacks should compliment the tea ceremony. I personally agree with her that snacks shouldn’t be too sweet or have a strong flavour and should look visually tempting.
Brewing tea is little bit like creating an artwork. The process of brewing tea is so beautiful that you as a tea brewer should be mindful and engaged, in peaceful manner, in the entire process, rather than just robotically following a procedure. The beauty of this process is for yourself, not to be performance for others.
Tea House: 清香齋
Address: Zhouzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan
