Theme

„The terms "Xiao shu" (small tree) and "tai di" (terrace plantation) are often interchangeably used, but they should be given separate meanings. "Tai di" connotes high intensity farming, with the entire slope cleared & terraced to plant hedgerows & use of pesticide & fertilizer. But in many gu shu growing villages, there are also new tea plantations which are too young to be called gu shu (ie. less than 100 years old), but they aren't exactly "tai di" either. Many of these plants are growing next to old trees, in a bio-diverse forest clearing, with lots of space around them, not all are sprayed & fertilized. In the future, they will grow into "gu shu", until then we should call them "shen tai xiao shu" (naturally grown small trees)“

„Sight:
Shape of dry leaves: Put the leaves you intend to brew on a small plate or in a tea cup. Then look at the leaves, their color, their shape...
Color of the tea (in the cup): Is this a beautiful, lively color?
Clarity of the tea: How shiny, how pure is the tea brew? “

„Standard Tuocha tea were defined to weigh 100 gram each. Five make 1 Tong.“