[Jing Sheng Yu] Founder's Book (Hello Taiwanese Tea: The Eternal Evolution of Tea) - New Edition

"I simply hope to have a cup of good tea accompany me in my daily life, and to share this sweet beauty with everyone around me." — Lin Yu-cheng When coffee overshadows the aroma of tea, when people on this island are accustomed to a cup of coffee instead of tea to start their day, tea becomes more and more distant, like a legend from memory. It all began with the desire for a cup of good tea. Author Lin Yu-cheng stepped into the world of tea, driven by a belief to transform Taiwanese tea. He transitioned from a tea drinker to a Taiwanese tea brand entrepreneur, elevating Taiwanese tea to a new level and helping society rediscover its beautiful value. Let us follow this book to enter the warm world of tea, and rediscover what "tea" is, what Taiwanese tea is. Follow this book— Wander through tea culture, rediscover the aroma of tea from this land. Savor a sip of tea, letting the rich and flavorful taste fill your throat. Remember the unforgettable first sip, the exquisite taste of Taiwanese tea. This book uses short texts accompanied by pictures, allowing readers to follow the author in tasting tea and brewing tea. Through the words, enter the world of Taiwanese tea culture and industry, understanding the world of tea that we drink daily but have never explored deeply. See the world of tea centered on Taiwanese tea and the upcoming tea trends, and drink a cup of true Taiwanese tea. Foreword Rereading many chapters of this book, I see again that young man who deeply loved Taiwanese tea. From an accidental encounter with an unforgettable cup of good tea, he embarked on a journey to explore Taiwanese tea. He discovered that the art of tea was not just for the elite, but offered diverse ways of expression that were dazzling and captivating. Yet, none of this deterred him. He continued to explore the world of Taiwanese tea and profoundly realized that many aspects of traditional tea ceremony were out of sync with the times and needed adjustment. The young man spared no effort to meticulously refine his approach, seeking to distill the essence. He was anxious and keenly aware that the Taiwanese tea industry was at a turning point and needed to transform, creating a way of drinking tea that aligned with modern aesthetics and lifestyles. Otherwise, one day, Taiwan's fine teas would disappear from this land. In 2009, with the help of many and a surge of youthful idealism, this young man established a brand. His idea was simple: few people in the world would be willing to explore the art of tea as he had—buying teaware, tea leaves, learning to brew, and facing various pitfalls. Since he already knew how to brew tea, he decided to brew a cup of tea for everyone using a Yixing teapot! Brewing tea at the tea bar is Lin Yu-cheng's favorite task at Jing Sheng Yu. He understood the essence of the tea ceremony early on and found joy in practicing it with every cup he brewed. The true spirit of serving tea is the spirit of love. Brewing tea is not about showcasing one's skills, but about offering the person before you a sweet, warm, and comforting cup of tea in that once-in-a-lifetime moment. However, while brewing tea was not difficult for him, starting a business was an entirely new experience. Within the first six months of opening, he lost all the money his mother had lent him, along with the investors' funds. This period of six months, devoid of visible future or hope, led him to another realization: entrepreneurship is about one creative idea coupled with a hundred uncreative tasks. Beyond the creative concept of "Yixing teapot pour-over tea," one also needs to learn how to manage a business. He then asked his investors for further capital to keep the small shop alive, vowing never to betray their kindness and to make the company grow and prosper. In 2013, the young man published his first book, "Hello Taiwanese Tea," and in its preface, he wrote about "The Craving for a Cup of Good Tea." Nine years have passed. Although the young man has now entered middle age, his craving for a cup of good tea remains unchanged. However, this "craving" has deepened with time, shaping his mind, tempering his will through hardship, and even experiencing the loss of a loved one. He now contemplates the meaning that a cup of good tea brings to life beyond just its taste. While working on the republication of "Hello Taiwanese Tea," the middle-aged man considered whether to adjust the youthful tone of the essays to a more mature and steady one. He hesitated, as he no longer spoke like he used to. However, he ultimately decided to retain the young man's voice, knowing how precious it is to "walk through half your life and return as the same youth, keeping your original heart." He hopes to always be like the young man from those days, embracing a naive, romantic, and fearless desire to change Taiwanese tea. Through his efforts, he hopes more and more people can have a better day every day through a cup of tea. He knows that if he can accomplish this one thing in his life, it will not have been in vain. Table of Contents Foreword for the Republication: Tea That Makes Every Day Better Than the Last Foreword: The Craving for a Cup of Good Tea Chapter 1 1-1 My First Cup of Tea 1-2 The Long Journey to Find Tea 1-3 Encounter Chapter 2 2-1 Don't Be Afraid, Drinking Tea Isn't Difficult at All 2-2 The Confusing World of Oolong Tea 2-3 Mountain Terroir (Shantou Qi) 2-4 The Appearance of Tea Leaves Holds Many Secrets 2-5 Dark Tea Liquors Can Be Beautiful Too 2-6 Taiwanese Teas You Must Try in This Lifetime 2-7 Buy a Good Tea for Yourself 2-8 Brewing a Cup with the Essence of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity 2-9 The Act of "Brewing Tea" 2-10 What Makes a Cup of Tea Good? 2-11 Sprouting Chapter 3 3-1 The Most Beautiful Imagination of Taiwanese Tea 3-2 Jing Sheng Yu's Travel Bottle 3-3 "Front Aroma, Mid-Taste, Aftertaste" 3-4 The Art of Brewing Tea in Everyday Life 3-5 The Artist of Creating Scents 3-6 Taiwanese Tea Is the Best 3-7 Direct and Simple Flavors 3-8 Appreciation Comes from Inner Peace 3-9 The Concept of Product Design 3-10 "Hello Taiwanese Tea" Chapter 4 4-1 The Taste of Tea Leaves? Or the Taste of Additives? 4-2 Eating and Drinking Locally 4-3 Inheritance and Recreation 4-4 Japan's Tea Industry 4-5 Value and Price 4-6 Debunking the Myth of Taiwanese Tea Prices 4-7 The Starbucks of Tea Chapter 5 5-1 A Patch of Land in My Heart 5-2 Approachability 5-3 Priceless Moments of Gathering 5-4 My Mother and My Three Cups of Tea 5-5 Healing the Body and Mind, Conveying Blessings Appendix: The Original Intention of Perfection