苏珊:
Tea is really useful. I was once told that it's very difficult to make tea, but I can't understand. Just put leaves in the cup and fill the cup with boiling water. After a few minutes the tea is ready. What's the catch?
茶真的很有用。以前有人对我说泡茶很难。但我不明白。只要把茶叶放进杯子里。倒上开水.过几分钟后中就行了。难在哪儿呢?
林红:
Well, what you have said is just the common case. In fact, tea drinking can be an art and learning in China. In the Dream of Red Mansion, there are over three hundred mentions of tea. And there is a chapter on how to make tea.
啊。刚才你说的方法都是平常的方法。实际上,在中国喝茶可以称为一门艺术,一门学问。在《红楼梦》里.总共300多处提到了喝茶。还有一章专门讲沏茶呢。
苏珊:
How is tea made in that book?
在那本书中是怎么介绍沏茶的?
林红:
I don't remember clearly but it's said to take half a day.
我记不清楚了。但是据说要花半天。
苏珊:
Such a long time. Unimaginable.
这么长时间啊.不可思议.
林红:
It's said that it will take a long time to prepare the tea utensils and boil the water. The water is said to be important. Good tea needs good water. It had better come from the snowmelt water.
据说需要很长时间来准备茶具和烧水。而且.据说水非常重要。好茶要好水才行,最好是用雪融化的水。
苏珊:
That will be hard to find in summer!
那在夏天是很难找到的。
林红:
Yes. But the procedure is much simplified now since tea has become a part of everyday life nationwide. Or else who can afford half a day for just a cup of tea?
是啊,不过.现在因为茶已经成为普通人日常生活的一部分。过程就简化了许多.要不。谁能花得起半天时间来喝一杯茶呢?