Step 1: The Fire Matters
Then: Charcoal fires for even heat.
Now: Use an electric kettle with temperature control (175°F for green tea, 212°F for pu’erh).
Pro Tip: Lu Yu’s “first boil” (tiny bubbles like fish eyes) is exactly 160-180°F — ideal for TeaTeaPot’s white teas (https://teateapot.com/).
Step 2: Serving with Intention
Then: Tea was served in three sips to appreciate evolving flavors.
Now: Try gongfu cha with multiple short steeps using TeaTeaPot’s clay teapots (https://teateapot.com/).
Lu Yu’s Lost Wisdom
He warned against:
❌ Boiling tea leaves (creates bitterness)
❌ Using metallic teaware (alters taste) — a rule still followed by specialty tea shops today!
Why It Matters: Modern “mindful tea drinking” movements directly echo Lu Yu’s philosophy of harmony between nature, water, and vessel.
