Brewing tea in the warm of winter—one of life’s simple joys
The plum blossoms are at their peak; around the stove we warm wine and tea
Of all the world’s affairs, one cup suffices
The grasses and trees wither; the insects sleep
All things settle into stillness
Frost on the roof tiles, snow on the shoulders
A little less warmth, a little more chill
People always “mourn the desolation” as autumn turns to winter
We rise and sink through life
Rushing headlong into busyness by habit
While life slips by unattended
In truth, as the years pass gently
All we need are two or three close friends
Each in their own ordinary days
Steady in going with the flow
Yet brave enough to rush off anytime toward the next passion
Whether times change or the years stay quiet and kind
We need only, in a long-awaited reunion
Light a stove of fire, encircle a little space of the world, and drink a pot of clear tea
Savoring this romance of winter, exclusive to the Chinese
Imagine the persimmons on the tree, glowing red
The stove fire beneath crackles and roars
Warming each other’s cold hands
The clay pot on the stove, roasting in the heat
Rings with gentle hums
When the water rises and the leaves float, steam curling
The persimmons and sweet potatoes roasting alongside
Turn soft and juicy, sweet and tender
Ordinary things, perhaps—but this is life at full steam
A clear breeze keeps the moon company
A group of friends, sipping slowly, chatting of crops and everyday things
As if to say every meeting is a reunion after long parting
Is this not exactly the relaxation and healing
that busy modern people need?
[Stealing half a day’s leisure from a floating life; a wisp of tea fragrance extends the flowing years]
The beauty of fireside tea brewing has spread across the country, and Pu’er City—home to one of pu-erh tea’s original birthplaces—has wonderful places to relax body and mind just like this. Let’s take a look together.
Tips: these local spots in Pu’er offer fireside tea brewing
Chen Huan (Dust of the World)
Address: Building 17-2, Laozhaqing, Pu’er City
1993 CAFE
Address: Finance Training Center, Yushui Road, Simao District, Pu’er City
Buku Teahouse (The Unbitter Teahouse)
Address: No. 3 Daijia Lane, Old Street, Simao Town, Simao District, Pu’er City
If you know other places for fireside tea brewing, tag the editor in the comments~
Images provided by Chen Huan, Buku Teahouse and 1993 CAFE
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Author: Lam Sam (LamSam), the Old Tea Head
ZENTEA MANOR
Alliance Supply Chain Services Limited
Unit 902-3, 9/F, Mini Cube, 10 Sam Chuk Street, San Po Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
www.zentea-shop.com Email:info@zentea-shop.com
