Page 81 - @ccess 2 Reader´s Book

As for the water, spring water is the best, river water is
second, and well water is the worst. The best spring water
flows slowly over stone pools on a pristine mountain.
Never take water that falls in cascades, gushes or rushes
in torrents or eddies. In such mountains where several
rivers meet, staggering together, the water is not fresh and
may even be toxic, especially between the hottest part of
summer and the first frost of autumn when the dragon is
8
sequestered. It takes but a single sip of water to understand
its nature. However, even stagnant water can be used after
an opening is made to let the water flow freely for some
time. For river water, the more remote the source, the better
water will be. On the other hand, well water is better when
more people use it, as this helps circulate its energy.

When the boiling water first makes a faint noise and the
bubbles are the size of fish eyes, it has reached the first boil.
When strings of pearls arise at the edge of the kettle, it has
come to the second stage. When the bubbles are much
bigger and the waves of water resound like drumming, then
the water has reached the third boil. Beyond this stage, the
water is over-boiled and too old to be used for brewing tea.

When the boiling water has reached the first stage, one
should add salt according to the volume of water. You can
taste the water to be sure the amount is correct, but be sure
to discard the remaining water from the ladle for testing.
Don’t put too much salt, especially since you may not taste
the salt right after it has been added. Otherwise, the salt
will overpower the tea. During the second boil, one should
scoop out a ladle of boiling water for later use. The ladled
bowl of water is kept in the hot water basin that is used
exclusively for this purpose. Then, using the zhuce, the long
bamboo stirring stick, one revolves the water in the center

8 Dragons sleep when it is hottest, and therefore are hibernating in their watery
homes.

80 Reader's Book