Cloud tea is like life; life is learning, wisdom is cultivation.<\/p>\n
The morning after the Torch Festival, I feel utterly exhausted. I drank wine last night and sat by the bonfire for the whole evening. My body is uncomfortable. At a time like this, what I need most is a pot of fine Dian Hong. Black tea is warming in nature, good for warming the stomach, easing the effects of alcohol, and refreshing the mind. I brewed a pot of Fengqing ancient-tree Dian Hong. After drinking, I felt like myself again.<\/p>\n
Fengqing is the homeland of Dian Hong, about four hours’ drive from Chuxiong. Although the Torch Festival is mainly celebrated in Chuxiong, Fengqing Dian Hong is the best choice to accompany it. Because black tea is warming and stomach-soothing, it is ideal after drinking. And the honey-sweet-potato fragrance of Dian Hong refreshes both mind and body.<\/p>\n
This Torch Festival, I brought two teas: Menghai ripe tea for the evening and Fengqing Dian Hong for the morning. Once you try this pairing, you will find it remarkably effective. Ripe tea in the evening to ease the effects of alcohol and aid digestion; Dian Hong in the morning to refresh and warm the stomach. The two teas complement each other, keeping you in top form throughout the festival.<\/p>\n
The second day of the Torch Festival is usually the most exciting: wrestling matches, horse racing, song and dance performances, and various other events. After my morning Dian Hong, I set out full of energy. At a tea stall, I saw a Yi grandmother selling her homemade Dian Hong. She said it was made from ancient-tree tea from the mountains and was delicious. I bought a jin. Back home, I brewed it and found it was indeed excellent: prominent honey aroma, bright red liquor, warm and sweet on the palate.<\/p>\n
The Dian Hong made by the Yi people is somewhat different from typical Dian Hong. Their methods are more traditional: sun-withering and hand-rolling. Though less efficient, this approach preserves more natural substances. As a result, Yi-made Dian Hong has exceptionally high sweetness and a unique wild mountain character.<\/p>\n
Drinking Dian Hong during the Torch Festival has another advantage: it replenishes energy. Torch Festival activities are physically demanding: hiking, dancing, watching competitions. A cup of Dian Hong, with its natural sugars and minerals, quickly restores energy. And the caffeine keeps you alert so you do not miss any of the excitement due to fatigue.<\/p>\n
On the second night of the festival, I did not go to the bonfire party. Instead, I sat on the rooftop terrace of the inn, brewed a pot of Dian Hong, and watched the distant fires. The night sky in Chuxiong is beautiful, the stars very clear. Sipping Dian Hong, listening to distant songs, I felt deeply at peace. This is the meaning of travel: going to a new place, drinking a local cup of tea, feeling the local culture.<\/p>\n
Tea has grades; all may enjoy it regardless of status.<\/p>\n
Before leaving Chuxiong, I visited the local tea market. Although Chuxiong is not a major tea-producing region, the surrounding mountains have tea gardens. I bought several local teas as souvenirs. Though the quality may not match teas from Xishuangbanna or Lincang, tea tasted during the Torch Festival always tastes especially good.<\/p>\n
The Torch Festival gave me more than just a celebratory experience; it also gave me memories of two fine pots of tea: one pot of ripe tea and one pot of Dian Hong. The ripe tea warmed and soothed the stomach at night; the Dian Hong refreshed and woke the mind in the morning. These two teas, paired with the festival activities, made the whole journey perfect. Next Torch Festival, I will return to Chuxiong and drink even more tea.<\/p>\n
Make friends through tea, please enjoy a cup.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Author: Old Tea Head · Lin Shen (LamSam)
\nZen Tea Manor ZENTEA MANOR
\nTianying Supply Chain Company
\nwww.zentea-shop.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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