Compared to green tea, black tea (red tea in China), and oolong tea, some people may be less familiar with dark tea, which is also one of the six major types of tea. So how do you select dark tea? And what are the ways to enjoy it? Let's take a look together, tea enthusiasts!
ONE
How to Select Dark Tea
Appearance
If it's compressed tea, high-quality dark tea typically has these features: intact brick surface, clear mold pattern, distinct edges, no cracks on the side, no old stalks, and not too many fine tea fragments mixed in.
If it's loose tea, then even, lustrous strands indicate good quality. Taking premium Fu brick tea and Qianliang tea as examples, vibrant “golden flowers,” large and abundant, are key characteristics of top-quality teas.
Aroma
High-quality dark tea carries a fragrant aroma of fungi or smells like pine smoke; aged tea has a mature fragrance. For example, both Fu brick tea and Qianliang tea have a unique fungal aroma; while wild dark tea has a faint, refreshing scent that can be invigorating.
The aroma of the brewed tea can also serve as an important criterion for identification. The tea liquor of aged dark tea is initially rich and mature with a gentle character, then combines maturity and freshness in the middle stage, and later highlights a mature aroma with layers of richness.
Color
Discerning color involves both the dry leaf color and the liquor color. High-quality dark tea often appears in shades of brownish-green or glossy black, with a highly lustrous surface.
After brewing, high-quality dark tea produces an orange-red, bright liquor, crystal clear like amber; while the liquor of top-notch new tea can be as red as wine, highly aesthetically pleasing.
Taste
High-quality dark tea has a sweet and mellow taste or is slightly astringent, while aged tea is extremely smooth, leaving a sweet aftertaste. Aged dark tea, when first brewed, tastes sweet, smooth, and slippery, thick but not cloying, with a sweet aftertaste; in the middle stage, it is sweet and pure with a refreshing finish, dissolving in the mouth; and in the later stage, even after the liquor becomes lighter, the tea still tastes sweet and pure, without any off-flavors.
TWO
How Can You Enjoy Dark Tea?
1
Brewing Method
Use a covered teapot made of purple Clay or ceramic. First rinse it with boiling water once, then discard the water before adding boiling water again. Strain and Drink.
2
Boiling Method
Take around 6 grams of tea and heat the water to about 60 degrees Celsius. Place the tea (first rinse dark tea with boiling water before placing it in the teapot to boil) into the pot. Boil gently, continue boiling for another 5 minutes or so, and then drink.
3
Milk Tea Method
Prepare the tea using traditional methods, then mix it with milk in a 1:1 ratio. Mix well-brewed dark tea with milk to make milk tea, which has a smooth and creamy taste.
Dark tea is renowned for its sweet aftertaste, leaving a lingering sweetness in the mouth after swallowing. Milk's unique dairy aroma complements the tea's fragrance and sweetness, creating a harmonious blend that lingers pleasantly on the lips, leaving you wanting more. You can also add fried rice or fried yellow beans, or pair it with cheese or dried beef.
4
Chrysanthemum Dark Tea
Place dark tea and chrysanthemum flowers in a teaware at a ratio of 3:1, and Brew them together for a refreshing taste.
Chrysanthemums are cooling and detoxifying, while dark tea is mild. Drinking them together balances their properties and enhances their effects. This combination is suitable for those with a hot constitution.
5
Honey Dark Tea
Slightly cool the brewed dark tea before adding honey for a sweet but not cloying taste. Dark tea paired with honey is both nutritious and has numerous benefits, including cleansing the gut. Especially with dark tea's mild nature and notable protective effect on the stomach, it can counteract the potential coldness of honey on sensitive stomachs. Drinking this regularly can also help prevent colds. This combination is suitable for health-conscious individuals.
It's important to note: Boiling water can destroy the nutrients in honey, so wait until the dark tea cools to around 50-60°C before adding the honey for optimal nutritional benefits.