三沸
Term · Brewing
three stages of boiling
Literal meaning
three boils
Definition#
Lu Yu's three stages of boiling in 茶经·五之煮: first, small bubbles like fish eyes with a faint sound (鱼目); second, bubbles along the rim like a welling spring with strings of pearls; third, the water surges in rolling waves (腾波鼓浪). Water boiled beyond the third stage is called old and unfit. Song writers judged water by fish-eye and crab-eye (蟹眼) bubbles.
Translation and usage#
| Language | Use | Alternatives & cautions |
|---|---|---|
| English | three stages of boiling Lu Yu's fish-eye to rolling-wave stages translation |
Also acceptable
|
| Deutsch | drei Siedestufen Lu Yus Stufen vom Fischauge bis zu wogenden Wellen translation |
|
| Русский | три стадии кипения от «рыбьих глаз» до «бурлящих волн» translation |
Also acceptable
|
| 简体字繁體字 | 三沸 | |
| 日本語 | 三沸 |
Common confusions#
- Cai Xiang (茶录) calls crab-eye water already overcooked for whisked cake tea, while Huizong (大观茶论) wants water heated until fish-eye and crab-eye bubbles appear; the ideal point was disputed.