When people refer to the Chinese tea culture today they won't miss an important person in the Chinese history—Lu Yu, who was respected as a "Sage of Tea（茶圣）" for his contribution to the Chinese tea culture. He is best known for his book The Classic of Tea, the first work on growing, making and drinking tea.
Lu was born in 733 A.D.in Tianmen, Hubei. As a child, he studied under the guidance of Zou Fuzi. Lu Yu often made tea for his teacher. He also took care of fellow students' health using his rich knowledge on tea and herbs（草药）that he learned.
Lu Yu often went to the countryside to gather tea leaves and herbs. On one of those trips, Lu Yu came across a spring, whose water was quite clear and clean. When Lu Yu made tea with this spring water, he found the tea tasted better than usual. From then on, Lu Yu realized the importance of water quality in making tea.
In 752 A.D., Lu Yu finished his studies, said goodbye to his teacher and returned to Jinling, where he met Cui Guofu. Both men shared the same interest in tea, literature, and poetry. They soon became good friends. During this period, Lu Yu stayed with Cui Guofu and helped him in his administrative（行政的）tasks. The two spent much time travelling, drinking tea, and writing poems.
This period was important for Lu Yu as a man of literature and a period for him to practice and sharpen what he learned from his teacher. Cui Guofu, with his rich experience and skills in literary work, became acoachthat provided the necessary help with Lu Yu's writing and literary skills.
During this time he wrote The Classic of Tea.
