Who Drinks low-quality Tea? Of course, as tea drinkers, everyone wants to buy and Drink good tea. However, they are often troubled by the lack of professional knowledge, and the quality of different teas varies, which can be confusing. Today, we introduce these tips to you; once you master them, you won't be deceived when buying tea.
Behind a cup of good tea, every step from planting the tea tree, harvesting the leaves, to brewing the tea is handled with the most meticulous attitude. So what are the standards for good tea? Just like the diverse aspects of the world of tea ceremony, what people like and delve into varies. The definition of what makes a good cup of tea differs from person to person.
However, good tea in the conventional sense should include the following points:
One, clear and bright liquor: This is the most direct criterion to judge whether it's a good tea. Regardless of whether the tea liquor is red, green, black, white, or yellow, the key is that it must be “clear and bright.” Clear and bright tea liquor not only pleases the eye but also indicates:
1. The tea has been well-made without any broken particles.
2. It has been stored properly without dust or mold.
3. The tea contains abundant substances that have been well-released during brewing.
Sometimes, due to improper brewing methods, even good tea can appear cloudy, such as using water that's too hot or using a high pour for teas with a lot of downy hair. Therefore, a scientific approach to brewing is necessary.
Two, bitterness and astringency should dissipate across the tongue rather than linger: Well-processed and reasonably made tea may still have some bitterness and astringency. Bitterness and astringency are inherent characteristics of tea, but the key is whether they can quickly dissipate. If the bitterness and astringency remain in the mouth, often described as “sticking to the tongue,” then it probably isn't considered good tea. Some people might prefer this taste, but it can only be considered their subjective standard.
Three, no off-flavors, strange flavors, or watery flavors:
1. Off-flavors refer to tastes that aren't naturally part of the tea. These usually occur when the tea absorbs other odors during production or storage, such as perfume or cosmetic scents, tobacco smoke, or other miscellaneous odors. Because tea has excellent absorption properties, care must be taken during production and storage. Once an off-flavor is absorbed, it is almost impossible to remove, and even the best tea will be ruined.
2. Strange flavors refer to tastes in the tea itself that are unpleasant, such as a musty smell. There are some tastes that are difficult to describe in words but make one feel uncomfortable. Some people claim these are unique features of the tea, but don't listen to their nonsense. Strange flavors often indicate problems with the tea, such as the presence of harmful substances like aflatoxins, which are detrimental to health.
3. Watery flavor refers to the separation of the tea taste and the water taste, resulting in a bland fishy flavor. Watery flavor typically appears when the tea liquor becomes light. Good tea does not exhibit separation between tea and water, even if it is light in taste but not fishy. For example, even when a good Longjing tea is brewed to the point where the liquor is nearly as clear as water, it still has a sweet aftertaste.
Four, lively leaf base: Regardless of the category of tea, a lively leaf base is a common characteristic of good tea.
A lively leaf base indicates:
1. High-quality raw materials. The leaf base reflects the original state of the tea leaves.
2. Good manufacturing process. The tea hasn't been overworked.
3. Proper brewing. The tea leaves are fully opened during brewing without being over-steeped or smothered.
Five, absence of pesticide residues and harmful substances: This is the bottom line for good tea. Drinking Tea should not merely satisfy one's appetite at the expense of its health benefits. Resolutely resist teas with excessive pesticide residues, heavy metals, and other harmful substances.
Six, good tea brings joy: Do not consider this a subjective criterion. Good tea brings joy because the aromatic compounds and certain components in it promote the secretion of dopamine, making one feel happy and alert. Conversely, poor-quality tea can make one increasingly depressed. This principle applies to wine as well.
So if you're unsure about the above criteria, take this as your only standard. After all, tea is loved by almost every country and nation in the world not through education and dissemination but because of its essence: drinking tea makes one feel comfortable and relaxed.
Not all inexpensive teas are bad, nor are all expensive teas perfect. The price of tea depends on many factors, and blindly pursuing high-priced teas can often lead one astray in the vast sea of tea. Improve your skills in buying tea, and soon you will form your own understanding of tea, gaining a good grasp of what makes a cup of tea truly good.
For tea drinkers, no amount of standards can outweigh the importance of taste. A cup of tea, a good cup of tea, is ultimately about finding the right flavor.