Tea and Life

 Tea and life

It is dark and windy outside. I am whacked, with a bad mood. Books and homework just stay on my desk neglecting my gloomy mood. What is worse, several tests are waiting for me in the coming week. I can not help complaining my life, my world just like the villainous weather outside. However, a cup of hot tea makes me feel passionate again. I cannot help thinking about the tea culture at that time.

I love drinking tea, not only because I come from China, but also for it became a part of my life. It seems that tea has a miraculous power to light up my world, every time I get stuck by the bad mood. Meanwhile, we cannot deny that tea culture cannot keep up with the modern high space lifestyle to some degree. Therefore, I come up with an idea, that is sharing the tea culture with people who enjoy life and have a desire of living a better life, so that more and more people have a better understanding of tea culture.

Tea is one of the top three most important beverages throughout the world, together with coffee and cocoa. One researcher concludes that “the discovery of tea in China can be traced back to the ancient time of Holy Farmer, who was thought as the God of Farming and Medicine” (Wang 13). However, tea likely originated in Yunnan, China during the Shang Dynasty (1500 AD–1046 AD) as a medicinal drink. It has a long history and represents the traditional Chinese culture. It also stands for a kind of living lifestyle. Why is the tea culture preserved and carried forward from Tang Dynasty（618AD－907AD）until now? How can it spread to all over the world and be warmly welcomed? The reasons are simple: It is a kind of drinking with spiritual inspiration. You can understand it if you are a big fan of drinking tea.

    Making tea is a kind of complicated process, but you will treat it as an enjoyable experience if you fall in love with tea culture. First, make hot water with patience. Then, pour boiling water over cured leaves of the tea plant. After that，you will be attracted by the refreshing smell with a little bitter, astringent flavor. (See Figure One). You may feel uncomfortable if you live in western countries, as well as you love western lifestyle better. Because western people crazy about ice water, I think. Compared with the instant modern beverages, such as carbonated beverage and juice, it is inconvenient and seems like a waste of time. But, when it gets to your taste bud,

[pic 1] you will be surrounded with a unique taste  

      Fig.1The typical Chinese tea ceremony.      and a sense of achievement and satisfaction That is life! If you want to achieve your goal and become outstanding, you have to prepare for a long time and pay effort. No one can get access to his ideal life easily, just like the complicated procedures before tasting the tea. You may face a lot of challenges, temptation [pic 2]and choices throughout your life, much like    Fig.2 The different kinds of tea in China.        your choice among various kinds of teas (See Figure Two). Green tea is fresh and cool, it can make you feel elegant and calm. Black tea is strong and mellow, which makes you feel gorgeous and noble. Scented tea is sweet and fragrant, its aromatic flavor will make you happy and feel relaxed (Lu, 4-5). Different choices represent different characters. I ardently love green tea, since I enjoy the inner peace.