福鼎白茶：释放你的潜能
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老桑说
我们每个人都充满了潜力，就好像是一片片绽开的芽，等待着盛放的时机。
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「 朋友，你好，我是老桑。 」
老桑在太姥山白茶发源地
我最近借着到温州大学演讲的机会，在温州附近的福鼎白茶茶园度过了一个愉快的周末。在福鼎市人大的精心安排下，我有幸走进福鼎白茶的世界。
太姥石景里的茶壶
在我之前那篇关于白茶的文章中，我描述了白茶的三种主要类型（白毫银针、白牡丹和寿眉），以及它们为什么那么神秘而且被世人误解。总之，白茶是所有茶中所经历加工程序最少的，只有采摘、萎凋、干燥。与其相对的是绿茶，绿茶在加工过程中要经过炒青的步骤，即用火烘烤炒制。
白毫银针、白牡丹、寿眉
福鼎新闻中心的两位记者陪我一起进行了为期两天的访问，chronicle（记录）下一路的足迹。之后他们还发表了一篇很棒的报道：《John Smagula首游福鼎，揭秘外国人如何看福鼎白茶》。感谢记者们牺牲他们周末的休息时间来采访我。
当我在福鼎时，那里正在采摘今年第一季的茶叶。我亲眼目睹了茶农们如何采摘芽尖，再放进处理的设备中，最后将茶叶摊放在一个接一个的竹匾里的过程。理想的状态是，茶叶在阳光下晾干，但如果天气条件不允许，它们会被放置在室内，利用屋内的热量和通风来来调节环境的温度。
老桑看大沁白茶晒干
尽管所有的茶叶都来自于茶树（Camellia sinensis），但它实际上有超过1500个品种。用于制作白茶的品种叫做“福鼎大毫茶”和“福鼎大白茶”，代表着其新鲜的粗壮芽和叶上覆盖着一层细绒毛而downy（柔软的）白毫。虽然白茶也可以用其他品种生产，但这两种茶树被认为是制作福鼎白茶最为理想的茶叶品种。
白毫的容貌正是白茶的特点所在。它被称为“毫香蜜韵” ，白茶有着清新的口感，最为接近茶叶自然的味道。此外，研究表明，白茶中的黄酮类化合物和茶多酚含量特别高，其抗氧化功效已被证实非常有益于健康。
白毫银针
一般需要一段时间精心控制的室内外萎凋工序来烘干（干燥）茶叶。通常，整个过程需要40个小时以上。
白茶的诞生有许多传说。大多数历史学家都认为，在福建省的白茶出现以前，中国的绿茶生产就已经很成熟了。白茶的制作过程在19世纪逐渐发展完善，大白毫成为了人们制作的首选品种。自那时起，白茶的生产基本没有发生什么变化。
但关于白茶的传说可以追溯到更久远的年代。最著名的传说是太姥娘娘的故事，她被认为是福鼎地区的保护神。她的雕像如今坐落于太姥山风景名胜区，俯瞰着东海的晴川湾。
绿雪芽白茶庄园博物馆
据说在4000年前的尧帝时代，有一个小山村爆发了麻疹。当地一位名叫蓝姑的村民，受到了一位仙翁的托梦，让她到附近的大山中寻找一种茶树，采摘茶叶后干燥，然后用它沏茶并分发给村中患病的居民。
蓝姑trek（跋涉）数公里，一路上经过山脊、山峰、云雾，然后她找到了一丛长着浓密绒毛的高山茶树。她摘下叶子，泡好茶，端给受苦的村民。他们因此获得了医治。蓝姑随后教其他村民如何泡茶，麻疹疫情也随之消散。
大沁白茶基地
尧帝得知蓝姑的圣德后就表彰了她，赐名“太姥”(祖母)。出于尊重，代代村民尊称她为“太姥娘娘”或他们的“保护神”。今天，当地人继续向她致敬，相信她仍然在天上保佑他们——以及他们的茶树。
太姥山深处有一处鸿雪洞。它的crevice（裂隙）中生长着一棵高达六米(20英尺)的古茶树，称为绿雪芽。许多当地人相信这是白茶之母。邻近的一片瓦禅寺如今仍然是一处香火不绝的敬拜之地。
绿雪芽
现如今，天湖茶业的白茶生产地就坐落在母茶树不远的地方。在我的朋友天湖茶业董事会主席林有希先生带领下，天湖茶业继续传承发扬着白茶的文化。公司生产的范围涵盖新鲜和陈年两种白茶。事实上，林董事长在2007年发明了中国第一套老白茶茶饼制作方法。
在福鼎时，我还参观了大沁和磻溪人两家白茶生产公司的制茶基地。虽然每家公司在白茶生产上都有自己的特色，但他们仍然坚守着那些代代相传的核心制作方法。
福鼎茶农告诉我太姥娘娘是怎样的大爱无疆、乐善好施。他们说，这种爱心和慷慨的心并没有使她贫穷，反而提高了她的地位，并最终使她成为了圣人。而一个自私或是贪婪的农民不可能被选中以承担拯救整个村庄的重任。
据说太姥娘娘很乐意帮助别人，因为她的快乐不是来源于自己对利益的追求，而是通过帮助他人来获得的。她的行为出于爱的本心，而不是通过商业上的交易。这种精神最终引起了皇帝的注意，使她受到尊崇，让她直到今天都为人们所铭记。
好客的老桑参与茶亭文化
一段时间以前，福鼎盛行“茶亭文化”。道路两旁散布着各式各样的亭子，游客们可以在这里休息。当地人会为他们奉上白茶，以示好客，并为他们的路途提供帮助。当地人在欢迎他人的过程中结识了新朋友和新客户，同时也在了解着世界。
一片茶芽不仅仅是展开的叶子，而是大约5片嫩叶紧紧地包裹在一起。如果不加处理，茶芽就会长出新叶子。这让我想起了人类的潜能。成语“含苞待放”意指我们每个人都brim（充满）了潜力，就好像是一片片绽开的芽，等待着盛放的时机。
茶花
如果你喝的是含苞待放的白茶，那么你就是在品尝着这种潜力。如果你将自己的潜能和白茶背后的精神融合在一起，并且赋予其太姥娘娘所具有的无私之爱与慷慨，你也可以为世界和自己实现伟大的成就。
因此，你的潜力与服务他人并让世界变得更美好息息相关。如果你深陷困境，也许是你太过关注自我了。寻找那些你身边的可以贯彻太姥娘娘精神的方法。即使你没有治愈麻疹的智慧，你也可以做一些贡献来改善你周围人的生活。
一片瓦禅寺
最高境界的爱是精神上的爱，而不是物质性的爱。
”我的朋友，白茶既是茶又是故事。每次冲泡的时候，你都在喝一种最接近茶树自然风味的茶。同时，你也在体会着太姥娘娘的恩惠，她用茶来帮助和服务他人。看看你如何使自己有目的地为他人服务。这将释放你的潜能，就像含苞待放的花蕾一样。
谢谢收看《老桑说》。
给你启发，激励你上进，陪伴你坚持。
敬请期待下一集。
英文版
English
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How white tea can
release your human potential
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「 Hello, my friend！
I'm John Smagula. 」
Daqin White Tea Fields
Hello, my friend! I’m John Smagula. On my recent visit to Wenzhou, where I spoke at Wenzhou University, I spent a delightful weekend in the neighboring Fuding white tea fields. With the thoughtful arrangements of the municipal people’s congress, I was fortunate to gain inside access to the world of Fuding white tea.
Lvxue Ya White Tea Fields
In my previous article on white tea, I described the three main kinds of white tea (silver needle, white peony, and shoumei) and why they are mysterious and misunderstood. In sum, white tea is the least processed of all teas, being plucked, withered, and dried. Green tea, on the other hand, is pan-fired or otherwise heated as part of its processing.
White Peony Tea
On my visit to Fuding, the municipal communications department accompanied me on the two-day visit, chronicling our experiences. They produced a wonderful article, A foreigner reveals how they view white tea. Many thanks to the journalists for giving up their weekend to join me.
When I was in Fuding, the first flush of tea was being plucked. I watched the farmers pick the buds, bring them to the processing facilities, and place the leaves one by one on the drying trays. Ideally, the teas are left to dry in the sun, but if the weather conditions don’t allow, they are brought indoors where heat and windows are used to regulate the ambient temperature.
Although all tea comes from the camellia sinensis tea bush, there are over 1,500 cultivars. The cultivars used for white tea are called Fuding Dahaocha and Fuding Dabaicha, which produce fleshy buds and leaves covered with fine, downy white hair. Although white tea can be produced from other cultivars, these cultivars are considered to produce Fuding’s most prized white teas.
This down is what gives white tea is characteristic taste. Known as “downy aroma and honey flavor,” white tea has a freshness to the taste, coming closest to the natural tea leaf. Moreover, research has shown that white tea is particularly high in flavonoids and polyphenols, and these antioxidant properties have been shown to have many health benefits.
Carefully controlled indoor and outdoor withering for an extended period of time turns into drying. In general, the entire process takes over 40 hours.
The story of white tea
There are many legends about the creation of white tea. Most historians agree that green tea production was well-established in China before white tea was first devised in Fujian Province. The process was perfected in the 19th century, with Da Bai Hao becoming the cultivar of choice. The basic production of white tea has changed little since then.
But the legends of white tea go back much farther. The most compelling legend is that of Taimu Niangniang, who has since become Fuding’s regional protector. Her famous statue now perches aloft the Taimu Mountain Scenic Area, overlooking the East China Sea’s Qingchuan Bay.
It is said that 4,000 years ago in the era of Emperor Yao, there was an outbreak of measles in a small mountain village. A local indigo farmer, known simply as Lan Gu (“Blue Girl”), received a vision from a saintly immortal to locate a tea bush in the nearby mountains, to pick and dry the leaves, and then boil the tea to give to the village residents afflicted with the disease.
Lan Gu trekked several kilometers through the ridges, peaks, clouds, and mists, where she came across a mountain tea bush with abundant downy white hair. She plucked the leaves, made the tea, and served it to the afflicted villagers. They were healed. Lan Gu then taught the other villagers how to make the tea, and the measles outbreak dissipated.
Daqin White Tea Fields
Emperor Yao learned of Lan Gu's imperial virtues and sainted her, giving her the name of "Tai Mu" (paternal grandmother). Out of respect, generations of villagers referred to her as Taimu Niangniang, or their "goddess grandmother." Today, locals continue to pay homage to her, believing that she still blesses them—and their tea—from the heavens.
The mother tree and its legacy
Nestled within the Taimu mountains is the Great Snow Cave (Hongxue Dong). Growing from one of its crevices is an ancient six-meter (20 foot) tea bush, christened as Green Snowy Buds (Lvxue Ya). Many locals believe this is the mother bush of all white tea. The adjacent Single Tile Temple (Yipian Wa Temple) remains an active place of worship.
Lvxue Ya
Today, the Tianhu Tea Company produces white tea grown in fields adjacent to the mother tree. Led by my friend and chair of the board Lin Youxi, Tianhu carries on the traditions of white tea culture. They sell both fresh and aged white tea. In fact, in 2007, Chairman Lin invented methods to produce China’s first pancake (bing) aged white tea.
While in Fuding, I also visited Daqin and Panxiren white tea production facilities. Each company had its own variations on white tea production, but they still adhere to the core methods that have been passed down over generations.
The spirit of white tea
The Fuding tea farmers told me how Taimu Niangniang had boundless love and was charitable and benevolent. They said this love and generosity of heart did not make her poor, but rather, elevated her in status and ultimately made her a saint. A selfish or greedy farmer would not likely have been chosen with the important mission to cure the village.
Taimu Niangniang is said to have been happy to help others, as her joy came from not from cultivating her own interests, but rather, in serving others. She worked from a spirit of love, and not simply by conducting a series of business transactions. This spirit is ultimately what caught the attention of the emperor—causing her to be revered until this day.
Some time ago, Fuding had a “tea pavilion” culture. Scattered along the tea roads were various pavilions or kiosks where travelers could rest on their journeys. Locals would serve them white tea, as a sign of hospitality and to help them on their way. In welcoming others, the locals made new friends and clients, learning about the world.
Release your own potential
A tea bud is not just an unfurled leaf, but rather, around 5 tender leaves tightly encased together. If left alone, the bud will grow to produce leaves. This reminds me of our own human potential. In the Chinese idiom of being a “bud just ready to burst,” we are each brimming with potential, like a series of unfurled leaves in a bud that are ready to break into growth.
If you drink a budded white tea, then you’re drinking in this potential. If you blend your potential with the spirit of white tea, grounded in the selfless love and generosity of Taimu Niangniang, you are positioning yourself to do great things for the world—and for yourself.
Your potential, then, is linked to serving others and making the world a better place. If you are stuck in a rut, perhaps you’re focusing too much on yourself. Explore ways that you can emulate Taimu Niangniang around you. Even if you don’t have the cosmic wisdom to cure the measles, there is certainly something you can do to improve the lives of those around you.
The greatest love is acting on the spirit of love, and not a love of material things.
”My friend, white tea is both a tea and a story. Each time you brew, you are drinking a tea that comes closest to the natural flavor of the tea bush. At the same time, you are taking part in the tradition of Taimu Niangniang, where she used tea to help and serve others. See how you can purpose yourself to serve others. This will unlock your potential, like a bud just ready to burst.
{ 今日英文速记卡 }
1. Chronicle ˈkrä-ni-kəl
a) 含义：v. 记录
b) 例句：
i. On my visit to Fuding, the municipal communications department accompanied me on the two-day visit, chronicling our experiences.
福鼎市人大代表陪我一起进行了为期两天的访问，记录下一路的足迹。
ii. One of the most remarkable aspects of art is its ability to chronicle moments in history through creative expression.
艺术的伟大之处在于它能通过独创的表现形式来记录历史的瞬间。
c) 近义词：document, record, register
2.Downy ˈdau̇-nē
a)含义： adj. 柔软的；柔和的
b)例句：
i.The cultivar used for white tea is called Da Bai Hao, which produces fleshy buds and leaves covered with fine, downy white hair.
用于制作白茶的品种叫做“大白毫” ，代表着其新鲜的芽和叶上覆盖着一层完好而柔软的白毫。
ii.The light is downy, the air is soothing, the mood is pleasant.
光线是柔和的，空气是舒缓的，心情是欢愉的。
c)近义词： cottony, satiny, soft
3.Trek ˈtrek
a)含义：v. 艰苦跋涉
b)例句：
i.Lan Gu trekked several kilometers through the ridges, peaks, clouds, and mists, where she came across a mountain tea bush with abundant downy white hair.
蓝姑跋涉数公里，一路上经过山脊、山峰、云雾，然后她找到了一丛长着浓密绒毛的高山茶树。
ii.I'd like to trek through the jungle, because I like exciting vacations.
我想去热带丛林中旅行，因为我喜欢充满刺激的假期。
c)近义词：hike, march, walk
4.Crevice ˈkre-vəs
a)含义：n. 裂隙
b)例句：
i.Growing from one of its crevices is an ancient six-meter (20 foot) tea bush, christened as Green Snowy Buds (Lvxue Ya).
它的裂隙中生长着一棵高达六米(20英尺)的古茶树，称为绿雪芽。
ii.Crevice is the work of time.
裂缝是时间的作品。
c)近义词：cleft, crack, fissure
5.Brim ˈbrim
a)含义：v. 充满；溢出
b)例句：
i.In the Chinese idiom of being a “bud just ready to burst,” we are each brimming with potential, like a series of unfurled leaves in a bud that are ready to break into growth.
成语“含苞待放” 意指我们每个人都充满了潜力，就好像是一片片绽开的芽，等待着盛放的时机。
ii.Her heart was brimming over with happiness.
她心中洋溢着幸福。
c)近义词：abound, overflow, teem
Thank you for watching me to inspire, encourage, and accompany you.
See you next time.
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