Taste: Persimmon, Dried Apricot, Honey
Energy: Yin; cooling; anchord yet forwarad-moving; clear focused mind
Source: Mangjing Village, Jingmai Mountain, Yunnan Province
Session Time: 3+ hours
"Evince the plainness of undyed silk, Embrace the simplicity of the [uncarved block]; Lessen selfishness, Diminish desires; Abolish learning and you will be without worries."
-Dao De Ching, Chapter 19
The Chinese term P'u (traditional 樸, simplified 朴), can be translated as "uncarved block," "unhewn log," as well as "simplicity" or "inherent quality." It is used in Daoist texts to symbolize the original, unadulterated state of humanness--before any artificial desires or attachments impress themselves through life, thereby "carving the block." This process of being "carved" and influenced throughout our existence is a given. And, the implicit state of simplicity within our nature is a potent one to contemplate, if not return to.
This Jingmai White Tea was wrapped in simple yet elegant paper, with no markings besides the pressing date. When given the opportunity to make custom wrappings, it felt like adding anything would take away from its purity of expression.
Indeed, it is a white tea, meaning that, other than most other teas, it was uncooked: only harvested, withered, and sun- (and shade) dried. This is arguably the simplest process that any tea can undergo. When aged as cakes, white tea slowly oxidizes and mellows, allowing time to preserve youth, but also mature its character--an intriguing paradox.
When brewed, this rare treasure imparts an immediately calming influence. Every cup carries an impeccably smooth mouthfeel, deep honey fragrance, and sweetness of dried persimmon. We recommend relatively long steeps (30 seconds to start, leading to 1-3 minutes), either Gong Fu or "Grandpa Style," wherein the leaves are left steeping in the vessel until it's time to drink.
All of this boils down to an invitation, to embrace simplicity: to return to a calm heart and unburdened mind.
