한국의 다도, About Tea (2)

 
Korea's tea ceremony 행다was formed by a monk named 효당 in his book "한국의 다도 The tea ceremony of korea" Korean tea ceremony has been related to zen spirit of the Buddhism. It's been prioritized the simplicity of zen meditation as a way of slowering of the life and to find inner peace in ordinary lives. Unsophisticated but much affection in it. The tea plant brought in to Korean peninsula around AD 828 from China. It was planted in the 지리 mountain in 경상 province for the first time. During 임진war around 16th century most of tea plantation was burnt down although many monks or scholars have tried to save them. Every moment when we were facing national crisis our ancestors have struggled to keep the original Korean tea. Thanks to their dedication still we can taste the authentic flavor. Currently there are 1000 tea farm in 전라 province in the southern part of Korean
peninsula. And in 제주 island also 38 places we can enjoy tea ceremony.
Japan the tea was introduced from China in 805AD by one of student monk who have been to China to study Buddhism. They started to grow the first tea plant aroud 12th century in 우지 village today's 교토. Japan's tea house is called 스와노 차야 mainly enjoying the powder form of green tea , 교쿠로차 the best quality of , 센차 general public green tea.

There are two kinds of tea ceremony in Japan.
1. 차카이..just simple tea gathering takes about 1 hour having 우스차 (plain taste) with 와가시
2. 차시...formulated pricey gathering having 코어차 (the highest quality) with 카이세키요리( a cuisine consisting 4steps of course).
In Japan tea ceremony which is being held in the temple called 차노유 based on the zen spirit of the Buddhism also like Korea. It had been developed by a monk named 센노리큐 the master of tea from 16th century. The principals of the tea are harmonious relationship , respecting each other , pure mind and soul , inner peace.

 

A tea plant(camellia sinensis) is strong in the winter. It can live up to 100 years and its leaf can grow 5cm. It contains 아미노산 미네랄 카페인 폴리페놀..it also helpful for preventing aging and cancer. Tea can be divided into 6kinds normally...they are green tea , white tea , oolong tea , black tea , yellow tea , red tea.
Green tea is a unpermented one , it's only added some heat and natural dry process. Oolong tea is a half permented one which mainly favored in China and Taiwan.
Red tea needs to be withdered first and rolling process and permeating and heating.
In England tea garden was started from 17~19th century.
They served the tea as one of greeting massage and tea garden was considered as social gatherings which can enjoy everyone.
Especially in England breakfast tea is famous...the reasons why...The food in England is little bit greesy so they needed the tea to ease those heavy tastes. People often ask like this ' What is the most delicious food in England? The answer is that the black tea. Then what is the most undelicious food in England? The answer is that...Um..all.
Each cup of tea represents an imaginary voyage.
We need these things to start tea party. First tea cup ( in korea we make them warm up before start to keep the temperature) , tea pot (we often use glass tea pot to watch the jumping phenomenon) , tea spoon , strainer, infuser, tea cozy, tea warmer, tea cady.
The Golden rules of Tea making * prepare fresh boiling water * tea pot cup should be warned up in advance * 1spoon for 1person 200ml water and wait 3~5 minutes , in case of teapack 2minutes needed.
The spirit of the tea beverage is one of the peace comfort and refreshment. In korea the tea especially tea ceremony in the temple is a way of meditation to helping to find their inner peace and serenity.
Tea evaluated by its apperance(young,mature,loose) , liquor color(muddy,bright) , aroma(fruity,flowery) , taste(mellow,brisk,balanced)
At the end of the ceremony place always used to be.
Interesting things are people can know the future of theirs by watching tea leaves..
Good: star,triangle,tree,flower,crown,circle.
Bad: snake,cross,cat,cage,owl.

William Gladstone praised the tea like this...
If you are cold tea will warm you.
If you are too heated it will cool you.
If you are depressed it will cheer you.
If you are exhausted it will calm you.