Life can be simple and yet it is much more complex than what we could imaging when we were young and confident. At the first, we thought we knew everything and we were ready for all challenges, then the life gave us priceless lessons, some are good and some are painful, that we probably only knew some dots that we thought we know but without the full picture.
The clock is clicking, soon we realize we can not stop the time in life, but we can decide how to live by accepting and tolerating。
We can not redo what have already passed just like we can not rewarm he flavors and tastes of tea when the tea gets old. Fine quality tea offers fine natueal and complex flavours and tastes, it is better to enjoy it in time when still is warm。Because you can never have the same flavours and tastes after it gets old。
In life, we want plenty but actually what we really need are few. We probably have many acquaintances but only few friends.
Understanding from others are not something you can expect without efforts from self。
Respect is not what you can demand without showing respect to others and self first。 Respect is not something you can demand but have to think how to win without impulsiveness.
Inner peace is a process that one must learns how to manage him/herself from within。
The life journey is as brewing a cup of tea, there are many possibilities that each has to learn how to manage through life-time learning.
Evaluated the chage in pH and TDS in water from beore boiling and the chage with the green tea brewing.
Water selection： Lifialla, untreated mineral water from Iceland. Even though the pH level according to their brocure is about 8.2, but actural testing showed 7.8. The TDS according to the meter is between 49-50ppm.
First boiled the water, and took some sample for measurement when cooled down.
Added some fresh mineral water to the pot, to bring tge temperature down to 80℃ and brew Chinese green tea, #LungJing.
Before 30, never thought or worried about age, I was so confident and playful that I forgot about time.
In the late 20, I wanted to stay on 20 longer and thought I still have plenty of time, I did not worry too much because I was so occupied by many other things about work, relationship and preconceived self. I forgot about taking time easily until one day I stood on the cross road and asked what have I done in life, who was I and what did I want in life. My first awakening happened in time that I found my way in tea, the practice of Daoyin Qigong for health and inner peace.
In the late 30, all in sudden, I realised the time pressure. psychological pressures started to mount up, the risk of stress rose; the only thing I thought what I could do was to continue my life as in the 30, I thought could gain time by accepting and tolering. Of course, I was wrong because nothing could stop the clicking of clock,not in the past, now or future.
Life is like a boat journey, don’t ask why you’re on board, because you are already on. The when is not upto our choice, but the key of what and how is on our hands that we have to learn how to manage itourselves.
Soon stepped into 50 from 49, I realized I couldn’t stop the time and the youth was flying out through windows that I forgot to close in time. I hoped I could stay forever young, ignored menopause crisis; but of course nothing could stop the clock. I started to think and worry about the time and fun that I lost and hoped to stay young longer. But I didn’t know who could I talk to, so I became more silent and submissive. Hopefully the emptiness and pain would go away. Of course, they didn’t.
The bitter betray and chaotic change that my ex-husband （father of my children） forced me through were like iced cubes over my head. I lost the family that I have dreamed about, I lost everything, luckily I and children were protected under Belgian laws. I was alone, I have no family to turn to and I didn’t know who to trust; I was forced to stop my carrier because of the responsibilities for two young boys. Despite all those unthinkable chaos and pain, I found myself back. When it seemed I was abandoned by the world, I realized “ I can’t change others, but I can change myself”. Others can fail me, can deny me, but I have to do my best to be myself and I can’t forget who I am and may not deny myself, simply because I am daughter of General Hsiao Li-Guay. I found so much strengths from the Chinese traditional moral teachings that I was fortunately inherited since childhood, I was enlightened by the wisdom of Chinese Buddhism, Daoism and saw the beauty of implementing the practices of Confusius teachings in life through tea, Chinese tea ceremony and Daoyin Qigong. This time I refuse to be submissive without trying best with a peaceful mind and devoted actions.
When one door is closed, another one is opened. Life goes on and on.
Once said goodbye to the 50, started the number with 6, I realized I couldn’t stop the time, regrets won’t help. I reborn from heart. Everyday from heart I appreciate the time that I gain, I am doing my best for myself through tea without asking why.
My life as tea and tea is as my life. I don’t live for tea, because I am tea, tea is in me.
Indeed I can’t stay as young as before, so what. Because I can keep the young in heart forever, and I am trying best everyday.
My health, my choice; my life, I live with gratitude.
Nearly 25 years ago, I met a good friend of mine in Taipei, Olga, who then just returned from Hangzhou and bought back some Xihu Long Jing. When we had a cup of tea in the tea room, she complained the flavors and tastes of Long Jing she bought were not same as the one she drank in Hangzhou, she thought she has been cheated by the tea shop. I explained to her, the chance she was cheated is small, especially when she bought it on spot where it was freshly made. I briefly explained the reason she felt differently was because of Water.
Water used for tea brewing does influence the color, flavors and taste of tea greatly. The first factors we should check are pH and TDS,
First of all, the pH and hardness of water from the water source in Taipei is different from Hangzhou
The average pH of our body is between 7.35 – 7.45, therefore the most suitable pH of tea liquor should be as close as to the pH level as in our body.
When the pH is lower than 7.0 : Basically the water is more towards to acidic instead of base. Even though the flavor of tea is fine and soft and the color is brighter, but the taste tends to be more flat and weak
When the pH is between 7.0 – 7.5 : The tea flavors are more full, the color is more brilliant, the tea liquor is more fine and soft; more able to bring out a good balance in flavors, color and tastes
When the pH is between 7.5 – 8.0 : It would weaken the flavor notes, the texture of water is more rough that darken the color of tea liquor. Even though it could present in more full body in taste but sometimes could increase the risk of imbalance in taste.
When the pH is higher than 8.0 : The taste of tea is more flat, dull and tasteless; and darken the color of tea liquor.
Besides checking the pH, we should also consider the influence from TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) value. TDS values represents the amount of dissolved impurities in water (ppm) , which indicates how many milligrams of total dissolved solids are dissolved in 1 liter of water (mg/l). Normally you can find such index on the water bottle package. The content of dissolves, such as Calcium, Magnesium, Ions, Colloids, Proteins, colloids could make a significant influence to the color, flavors and taste of tea as well.
the larger TDS value, the greater the impurity content in the water and vice versa. The value should be suitable for human body’s absorption, suggest to avoid either too high or too low.
The WHO suggests less than 50mg/l. But the standard is varied in different countries, i.e. 0-50mg/l in the US standards, 0-70mg/l in the EU standards. Basically speaking 100 or less can be accepted.
Some water filter system can reduce the TDS to Zero while maintain the neutral pH values, even though the taste of astringency is less, the color of tea liquor is brighter, however, it also weakens the fullness in flavors and tastes that we expect from certain teas.
The above data can give us a guideline when choose mineral water, but still is not the absolute factor. Years ago in a tea event which was sponsored by a very well-known mineral water company. The pH is <6.0 and the TDS is also very low. When I used that water to brew Taiwan Gaoshan Oolong in the first evening, even though the color was nice (bright and transparent), but the flavors and taste of my Taiwan Oolong were flat, dull and tasteless. So quickly I changed the water for the next day by mixing that expensive mineral water with the tap water from Brussels, then my Oolong was alive and tasty. Recently I tasted the natural untreated mineral water from Iceland, Lifjalla, the pH is between 8.2-8.5 and the TDS 9.4mg/l. The natural taste of that water is sweet, and it matches perfectly well with traditional Oolong, black tea, dark tea and Pu’erh with the representation of full body in flavors and taste, and the color is brilliant and transparent.
Therefore selecting the right water is important for tea. However, there are other factors could also influence the flavors and tastes of tea, i.e.
The conditions of water pipeline would make a great difference to the quality of water from the tap.
The temperature and humidity in the tasting room would also influence the flavors and tastes, suggested room temperature between 15-27°C and humidity around 70%.
Even the light, the quality of air, air flow, colors in the tea tasting room should take into consideration.
Making a cup of tea is easy, but there are many fundamental factors could influence the flavors and taste of the tea that you would like to enjoy. Small details require great attention.
In this cyber-world and social media on internet today, learning what and how to respect copy rights and privacy are must learning.
Here I repeat again that I do not give Facebook or any one who I connected or associated on Facebook the permission to use my photos, information, text or posts, from past, now and future.
PRIVACY LAWS
Based on The General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) A data controller must provide, upon request, an overview of the categories of data that are being processed (Article 15(1)(b)) as well as a copy of the actual data (Article 15(3)). Furthermore, the data controller has to inform the data subject on details about the processing, such as the purposes of the processing (Article 15(1)(a)), with whom the data is shared (Article 15(1)(c)), and how it acquired the data (Article 15). Profile definitely should be treated as private and confidential.
Besides the definitions as a criminal offence according to national law following Article 83 GDPR the following sanctions can be imposed:
a warning in writing in cases of first and non-intentional noncompliance
regular periodic data protection audits
a fine up to €10 million or up to 2% of the annual worldwide turnover of the preceding financial year in case of an enterprise, whichever is greater, if there has been an infringement of the following provisions: (Article 83, Paragraph 4)
the obligations of the controller and the processor pursuant to Articles 8, 11, 25 to 39, and 42 and 43
the obligations of the certification body pursuant to Articles 42 and 43
the obligations of the monitoring body pursuant to Article 41(4)
a fine up to €20 million or up to 4% of the annual worldwide turnover of the preceding financial year in case of an enterprise, whichever is greater, if there has been an infringement of the following provisions: (Article 83, Paragraph 5 & 6)
the basic principles for processing, including conditions for consent, pursuant to Articles 5, 6, 7, and 9
the data subjects’ rights pursuant to Articles 12 to 22
the transfers of personal data to a recipient in a third country or an international organisation pursuant to Articles 44 to 49
any obligations pursuant to member state law adopted under Chapter IX
noncompliance with an order or a temporary or definitive limitation on processing or the suspension of data flows by the supervisory authority pursuant to Article 58(2) or failure to provide access in violation of Article 58(1)
COPYRIGHT PROTECTION LAWS
The following rights are protected by European Union law:
Right of reproduction for authors, performers, producers of phonograms and films and broadcasting organisations
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Right of fixation for performers and broadcasting organisations
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In case you want to use my photos, text or articles, please do first contact me for permission in writing in advance.
In case, by accident I used yours which you do not want me to show it on FB or Instagram or my blog, please do let me know. I will take it off immediately.
Yesterday evening I received a ‘great’ question on #Instagram – “Which tea I would recommend today”.
There are two key words in this question : WHICH & TODAY.
Personally I love all tea types and I choose always from fine quality pure tea that allows me to enjoy its natural and complex flavors and tastes.
I tend to discipline myself from very vivid and sexy intensive flavors that chanting to my nose. Of course, natural pure scents are important, but can flavors reflect in tea liquid and the complexity in fine tastes are even more attractive to me.
Drinking tea for health
I do pay close attention on which tea type of tea to choose according to the change of season and weather, because there are many choices we have in our tea centre in each tea type. I simply close my eyes and listen to let my heart to guide me with my decision.
The tea I chose last night was an aged Shou Pu’erh because of two reasons :
1) we had a pretty big meal in the evening that we would like to stimulate our digestion a little bit
2) the air pressure was increasing without rain, I sensed the need to stimulate the water circulation through mild sweating.
It rains today, so guess which tea speaks to my body today?
Keep a teapot in good condition is not that difficult. Never use soap or detergent to wash it, definitely not in a dish washing machine Certainly do not clean the naked ceramic teaware, i.e. Yixing, in a dish washing machine.
This shape is known as “Shoulder of a Beauty”
The above mentioned cleaning method is suitable for all material Teawares, including those made from Yixing clay, Actually all teaware can be easily cleaned with warm water after the each use, because there is no fat or any chemical substance from pure quality tea.
Should be careful when buying “old” Yixing teapots on line because photo can easily being PS, and there are lots of faked old Yixing teapots sold in the market.
In case the “old” Yixing teapot you bought has pretty dark color stains inside, I would suggest
cook it several times with water to remove the old flavor and stained color
bush it well after each cooking.
Afterwards cook it at least once with the oolong tea that you want to use it in the future.
If you really care about Your health, then learn to listen your body better, and don’t underestimate the importance of learning tea. Pure and authentic quality always is the best choice.
If you really care about your teaware, then don’t be lazy. Clean all teaware, including pot and cups, with warm water after each use.
I can’t afford to buy authentic antique Yixing teapot, but I am glad to grow old together with my Yixing teapots. Dedication is important for a naked ceramic teapot to become a more brilliant living ‘partner’ in your tea journey.
There are six typical boggy traps in tea drinking, even many experienced tea drinkers are falling into the temptation without knowing:
Drinking tea with Empty Stomach or early in the morning before breakfast
Drinking Strong Tea in the late evening
Like to drink freshly made New Tea
Drinking Excessive Quantity of tea
Drinking too much Strongly Brewed Sheng Pu’erh
Drinking tea after drinking Alcohol
Are you unconsciously falling into either one of it without
knowing?
If drinking tea is not for health,
then perhaps the healthiest drink is water. Whether you believe in
reconcillation, life after life or not, the reality is we only live once in
this life.
Your health is not relying on which tea you drink, it depends on how you take responsibility on the choice you make in everyday life.
