A conversation with tea 与茶对话

Tea, like a recluse, hardly gives away a lot, quietly awaiting the right person to come its way before emanating a fragrance and sweetness that overwhelm and inspire. This conversation with tea can only flow when one understands the intrinsic and extrinsic elements that contribute to its very existence. The former being the tea variety or tea breed and the latter being a combination of factors that include terroir, local conditions and tea making techniques.

Based on one tea variety from various tea regions where differences in soil, climate and environment are obvious, it is not impossible to use tea manufacturing techniques to obtain the desired tea form. Hence, one variety is easily processed into different forms depending on the prevailing market demands. Anything from fragrant to rich, lightly roasted to heavily roasted teas can be made easily available.  

A thorough comprehension of tea varieties lets you make an informed choice without relying on labels and pricing. The crux lies in an overall understanding of the extrinsic elements that influence the development of a particular tea variety.