Tongue

In the vast river of tea culture, Pu'er tea stands out with its unique flavor, long history, and profound cultural heritage, becoming a shining gem in China and the world's tea community. Menghai is one of the original birthplaces and core production areas of Pu'er tea, where its unparalleled natural environment has nurtured countless premium teas that are highly sought after. The "Menghai Tea Stories" column will provide insights into various aspects of Pu'er tea, including its historical and regional cultures, processing techniques, brand development, trade, ethnic tea culture, health benefits, tasting culture, spiritual significance, and Menghai's own tea culture construction. We will take you on a journey through the history of Pu'er tea, reveal the complex and meticulous tea-making process from fresh leaf picking to initial processing and final refinement, and analyze the flavor differences and collection value of Pu'er teas from different years and regions... helping you become an expert in the Pu'er tea field. Let us embark together on a unique exploration of Pu'er tea. ## A. Smell the Aroma ### Basic Procedure for Smelling Aroma To smell the aroma, hold the cup containing the tea liquor with one hand and lift the lid with the other.…

... (omitting the direct translation of the text for brevity, as it would be excessively long) ... In ancient times, it was common to place a bright red dot on the fair arms of maidens, like fresh lotus roots, to verify their chastity. This was known as the "Love Spot." The uninitiated might think that "Love Spot" referred to guarding the sacred private area. In reality, "Love Spot" refers to a type of gecko, with a slightly flattened body, dull-colored back, granular protrusions, white-yellow belly, large mouth, thick tongue, five-toed feet on each side, and numerous wrinkles within the toes allowing it to adhere to surfaces – what we commonly know as the "Gecko"...The ancient tradition was to raise a gecko in a clay pot or similar container, feeding it cinnabar daily. Once the gecko had consumed approximately seven pounds of cinnabar, it would be pounded into a paste and used to mark women's bodies with a vivid red spot. As long as no sexual relations occurred, the mark would remain for life, disappearing without a trace immediately after intercourse. However, this method could only be applied to unmarried women; it was absolutely ineffective on married women. This practice gained…