Pu'er tea distinctions between raw and ripe: the production process for raw Pu'er involves fixing, kneading, and then steaming and pressing into cakes, while ripe Pu'er mainly undergoes a pile-Fermentation process; in terms of color, raw Pu'er initially appears as greenish-blue or dark green, whereas ripe Pu'er is red-brown in color; raw Pu'er has a strong taste, full tea aroma, and a clear Infusion, with bitterness that returns to sweetness and astringency that stimulates saliva, while ripe Pu'er has a mellow, soft mouthfeel and returns to sweetness.
How to Distinguish Between Raw and Ripe Pu'er Tea
1. Appearance
The appearance of raw tea is typically greenish-blue or dark green, slightly tinged with yellow or red; aged teas will appear brown, while new teas tend to be greener.
The appearance of ripe tea is typically brown or reddish-brown.
2. Infusion Color
Raw tea infusions are mostly yellow-green or green-yellow and bright, if aged, the color becomes a bright yellow, Orange-yellow, or orange-red.
Ripe tea infusions are red, rich, and bright, varying slightly depending on the degree of fermentation.
3. Aroma
The aroma of raw tea is primarily honey-like, often accompanied by lotus fragrance when insufficiently fixed, and chestnut fragrance when over-fixed.
The aroma of ripe tea is primarily aged, interspersed with Ginseng, jujube, and camphor aromas.
4. Taste
The taste of raw tea is strong and stimulating, with a slightly bitter and Astringent flavor, and a quick return to sweetness and stimulation of saliva.
The taste of ripe tea is thick and smooth, with a sweet aftertaste upon entry.
5. Leaf Base
The leaf base of raw tea is typically yellow-green, with relatively intact strips and good flexibility.
The leaf base of ripe tea is typically reddish-brown or brownish-black.