Dreamlike Elegance Gathering—Shangluo Qixi Tea Ceremony

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Look at the floating milk foam in the deep cup,

The profound art of tea preparation will surely elude you.

In “Dream of the Splendid Realm,” that delicate, fragrant cup of tea, adorned with frothy patterns that conjure the beauty of landscapes, flowers, and birds, has stirred envy and longing in countless hearts.

As the saying goes, “Tang for boiling, Song for whisking”—the art of tea whisking, the most common method of tea preparation during the Song dynasties, has been passed down through the millennia. With a single tea bowl and a bamboo whisk, one can conjure an endless array of variations in the tea’s texture and flavor.

On August 4, Shangluo Electronics’ Qixi Festival–themed event, “Dreamlike Elegance: A Qixi Tea Gathering,” took place as scheduled, inviting guests to savor the timeless art of tea‑ceremony that has captivated generations.

So‑called “dian cha” refers to a method of preparing tea in which tea cakes are first roasted and then ground into a fine powder, which is mixed with hot water in a tea bowl to form a paste. According to Cai Xiang’s “Tea Record” from the Song dynasty, the tea is finely powdered, placed in a tea bowl, and brewed by pouring in boiling water; first a small amount of water is added to stir the paste, followed by gradually pouring in more water while vigorously whisking to create a frothy layer—now known as “tanghua”—until no trace of water remains on the inner walls of the bowl. This is considered the ideal result.

During the event, the instructor first introduced the discovery and historical use of tea, then guided participants through an exploration of Song‑dynasty tea‑ceremony culture.

Next, we introduced the tea‑brewing utensils and the proper brewing method.

Finally, we arrived at the highlight of the event: a hands-on “Song‑dynasty tea‑whisking” experience. Under the guidance of a tea master, participants held their tea whisks and personally savored the artistry of this time‑honored practice.