I understand beengs (and puerh in general for that matter) come in all shapes and sizes, but does anyone know why the "standard" or typical cake is 357 grams (12.59+ ounces)?
Just curious I guess.
Thanks.
Re: Why 357g?
1 tong = 2.5 kg
12 tong = 1 big basket = 30kg
In old days, people used donkeys to carry puerh tea. One donkey carried 60 kg of tea. That is one basket on each side of donkey... i read it somewhere.
12 tong = 1 big basket = 30kg
In old days, people used donkeys to carry puerh tea. One donkey carried 60 kg of tea. That is one basket on each side of donkey... i read it somewhere.
Nov 15th, '11, 08:24
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Re: Why 357g?
There are at least 3 different explanations: The most plausible seems to be that a cake was 7 'liang' (16 liang in a jin, or a Catty, then equivalent to 1.3 pounds or 600g) and 7 cakes in a tong made 49 liang.
For sure, kilos and grams were not units of measurement in ancient China. Some people say that originally there were 8 bing in a tong and one was paid as a tax or levy. Certainly it was common for muleteers to pay (generally in goods) for safe passage through different areas.
Another explanation, that it was purely numerological, is possible; 7 is certainly a good number in Chinese culture.
I have yet to see a good explanation for why there were 6 or 12 tong in a set or jian, other than the previously mentioned 'how much a mule could carry' reason - it was thought that a mule or pony could not carry more than 60 catties - but the methods of pressing and packing tea have also varied over time.
For sure, kilos and grams were not units of measurement in ancient China. Some people say that originally there were 8 bing in a tong and one was paid as a tax or levy. Certainly it was common for muleteers to pay (generally in goods) for safe passage through different areas.
Another explanation, that it was purely numerological, is possible; 7 is certainly a good number in Chinese culture.
I have yet to see a good explanation for why there were 6 or 12 tong in a set or jian, other than the previously mentioned 'how much a mule could carry' reason - it was thought that a mule or pony could not carry more than 60 catties - but the methods of pressing and packing tea have also varied over time.