Ginseng

Pu'er tea comes in raw and ripe varieties, with some people enjoying the distinct flavors of raw tea, its mingling sweetness and bitterness, while others prefer the subtlety and richness of ripe tea, which is neither bitter nor astringent. For ripe Pu'er, a good cup should not have any unpleasant or discomforting off-flavors, such as storage or pile fermentation odors. While it's true that ripe Pu'er may have some pile fermentation smell right after processing, this dissipates over time. If you taste a ripe tea several years old and it still has an unbearable pile fermentation odor, then the quality of this tea is significantly reduced. So what makes a ripe tea tasty, and how can we judge its quality? Generally, good ripe tea, whether loose or compressed, should have dry leaves that are tightly knitted, heavy, complete, with few broken pieces, showing downy tips, evenly colored, and having a certain degree of moisture and brightness. There should be no non-tea foreign matter, and the purity should be good. Poor-quality ripe tea, due to inadequate fermentation or processing, will have loosely bound, light, and more broken leaves. The color of the tea liquor is the result of water-soluble pigments dissolving…

Aged Pu'er ripe tea is characterized by its sweetness, smoothness, richness, softness, and thickness. 1. The color of aged ripe tea is reddish-brown, and the aroma is more elevated, without any foul odors; 2. After brewing with boiling water, the tea liquor appears as amber-red, bright and clear, with a pure aroma, fine texture, sweet and mellow taste, good returning sweetness, and very evident salivation-inducing properties. The entrance is rich and sweet, with a very noticeable woody aroma. How to Brew Aged Pu'er Tea for Best Taste 1. Place the Pu'er tea leaves into a filter cup, about 10 grams, and pour freshly boiled water over them in the filter cup, covering the leaves. After a moment, remove the filter cup and discard the first infusion of tea water. Pour boiling water again, covering the leaves, put on the cup lid, and let it sit for around 20 seconds. Open the cup lid and invert it, take out the filter cup, and let a few drops of tea juice drip off, then place it inside the cup lid. 2. Pu'er tea is very durable in brewing. When you are about to finish the first infusion, you can place the filter…

Aged tea, what makes it so good? Aged tea indeed has its unique charm. Over time, its taste becomes richer and smoother, with a lingering aftertaste. Additionally, aged tea may carry distinctive aromas like aged scent or medicinal scent that are truly memorable! What makes aged tea so good? Where does the charm of aged tea lie? Most enthusiasts would say they love the rich flavor and the unique aged scent of aged tea. The "aged scent" of tea is a subjective experience, not referring to a specific smell but rather a complex aroma. Summarizing descriptions from several seasoned tea connoisseurs, the types of aged scent include medicinal scent, ginseng scent, camphor scent, woody scent, jujube scent, among others—most of which are relatively low-key scents. When assessing whether a tea has an "aged scent," trust your instinctive reaction because it should be fragrant (a bit obvious, but true). If you find the scent unpleasant or reminiscent of the musty smell of an unused storage area or a long-unopened cabinet, then most likely, this is storage odor or moldy smell, not "aged scent" or "ginseng scent." There are many reasons why aged tea is enjoyable. With the passage of time, it…

Accompanied by the morning mist, Wang Wanguo and his fellow villagers weed and pick tea in the tea garden, with the verdant and towering Wuzhishan not far away, its main peak appearing and disappearing in the clouds and fog. The ecologically friendly organic tea garden in Wuzhishan's Shuiman Township. Photo by Niu Liangyu, People's Daily Online High mountains and cloud-covered mist produce fine tea. The Wuzhishan large-leaf tea hidden in Hainan's tropical rainforest has long been a local calling card and a vivid testament to Wuzhishan's practice of "industrialization of ecology" and "ecologization of industry." Focusing on ecology to grow good tea, how is the quality of this "ecological tea" from Wuzhishan? Recently, reporters went "into the mountains" to investigate. Core Competitiveness Lies in Ecology Following the winding mountain road, the reporters arrived at the Wu Zhai Organic Ecological Tea Garden in Wuzhishan's Shuiman Township. What caught the eye were tea plants, ground cover film on the soil, and insect traps between the tea plants. Tea farmers picking tea in an organic tea garden in Wuzhishan. Photo by Niu Liangyu, People's Daily Online "We are going 'organic.'" Wang Wanguo is a resident of Fanghao Village, Shuiman Township, Wuzhishan City, Hainan…

Flower tea is primarily made using black tea, green tea, or oolong tea as the base, complemented with fragrant flowers that can imbue their scent. It is produced through a process called scenting. Its aroma is rich and the tea liquor is dark in color, possessing benefits such as beautifying the skin, aiding digestion, and more. However, improper consumption of tea can also harm the body; therefore, it is important to drink tea in a healthy manner. Benefits of Drinking Flower Tea Long-Term 1. Improves Vision and Reduces Internal Heat Drinking flower teas like Huangshan tribute chrysanthemum, wild chrysanthemum, and Hangbai chrysanthemum can effectively alleviate dizziness and blurred vision caused by internal heat. 2. Nourishes the Stomach and Protects the Liver Flower teas made from calendula, osmanthus, luo han kuo, jasmine, and hibiscus have the effects of clearing and nourishing the liver, as well as strengthening and nurturing the stomach. 3. Lowers Blood Pressure and Lipids Drinking flower teas like ginkgo, notoginseng, and ginseng can soften blood vessel walls and improve circulation, helping to control blood pressure and regulate lipids. 4. Clears and Moistens the Lungs Flower teas made from violets, lilies, and other flowers have expectorant and lung-moistening properties,…

Drinking green tea has cooling and soothing effects, helps to clear the mind and invigorate thoughts. It can also alleviate visual fatigue and replenish the body's water needs, which is beneficial for eliminating fatigue, relaxing the mood, and improving emotions. It can help with dry skin and mental exhaustion. Regular consumption of green tea can uplift one's mood, improve stress levels, and have diuretic effects. Benefits of Drinking Green Tea First, green tea can lower blood sugar, lipids, and blood pressure, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Second, green tea contains abundant catechins and vitamin C, promoting cellular antioxidant capacity, scavenging free radicals, reducing wrinkles, whitening the skin, and delaying aging. Third, green tea contains caffeine, which mildly stimulates the central nervous system, helping to refresh the mind. Fourth, regular consumption of green tea promotes metabolism and reduces fat accumulation in the body, aiding in weight loss. Drawbacks of Drinking Green Tea For those with a weak digestive system, green tea, being a raw tea with a strong cold nature, may cause discomfort, abdominal pain, or even diarrhea in some individuals. Additionally, some people may experience sleeplessness after drinking green tea due to its caffeine content, which can stimulate the…

This article constructs a flavor wheel for Pu'er tea and Fu brick tea from the dimensions of aroma and taste, establishing a sensory quantitative descriptive vocabulary list for both teas. The aim is to determine sensory descriptive terms that can be used to describe Pu'er tea and Fu brick tea, providing application value for distinguishing, evaluating their sensory characteristics, and developing products related to these teas. In this study, 35 representative samples of Pu'er tea and 35 of Fu brick tea from different years and origins were selected (Table 1). Referring to the black tea sensory evaluation method in GB/T 23776—2018 "Sensory Evaluation Method for Tea," the aroma and taste of the teas were evaluated. This led to a comprehensive understanding of the sensory flavor characteristics of both types of black tea and the further construction of a flavor wheel. The Pu'er tea flavor wheel, as shown in Figure 1, includes two categories: aroma and taste. The outermost layer contains specific descriptors, totaling 40. Aroma descriptors include aged fragrance, camphor aroma, ginseng-like aroma, herbal medicine aroma, soybean aroma, hay aroma, jujube aroma, lactic acid scent, fresh aroma, floral honey aroma, mushroom aroma, smoky charred scent, and 31 others. Taste descriptors…

A critically important chapter in the history of human civilization has been written by fragrances. Those invisible scents have established the closest and most mysterious connection between humans and nature. Humans, relying on this marvelous relationship, have experienced significant enhancement and progress in every aspect, from the material to the spiritual, from the sensory to the mental, from religion to politics, and from science to art. However, contemporary people, living in an extremely realistic yet virtual society, are constantly exposed to all kinds of informational "stimuli," making our inner space seem increasingly "powerful." Simultaneously, with our daily indulgence in flavorful foods and spicy drinks, our tastes seem to have become increasingly bold. Over time, many people have realized that their senses have regressed significantly, and there is a certain barrier between their sense of smell and fragrances… Nowadays, with the revival of Puer tea at the beginning of the new century, the era of Puer tea consumption is dawning, and identifying and appreciating its aroma has been elevated to unparalleled heights. Even in general tea evaluation, aroma alone accounts for 30% to 40% of the total score, demonstrating the crucial role and significance of smelling in the enjoyment of tea.…

Puer Tea · Storage If starting to drink Puer tea and incorporating it as an essential part of daily drinking habits marks the beginning of understanding Puer tea, then with the deepening of our affection for Puer tea, we cannot avoid facing the issue of Puer tea storage. This is because the concept of "the older, the more fragrant" always tantalizes the hearts of tea enthusiasts, and the allure of aged teas in the legends of the Puer tea world is mysteriously enchanting. In the eyes of experienced tea expert Mr. Huang Gang, "Puer tea storage is the key to understanding Puer tea." This detailed long article aims to answer questions such as "What is the 'storage' of Puer tea? What is good 'storage'? For Puer tea enthusiasts, solving this problem can save them from taking many detours in their journey to understand Puer tea. How do we understand the "storage" of Puer tea? Puer tea is a post-fermented tea, and both raw and ripe teas go through a process of storage and aging after being pressed into shape (even if they are loose). Therefore, we can say that the "storage" of Puer tea is produced during the later stages…

Ripened Pu'er tea, having undergone a process of pile-fermentation, typically presents itself with a tight and uniform appearance, a reddish-brown color, and golden buds visible. Over time, as it ages, ripened Pu'er tea develops a richer and smoother taste that is both delicate and full-bodied. It also exhibits characteristics such as sweetness, aged aroma, smoothness, among others. The tea liquor is not only thick and viscous but also has a rich and layered taste that lingers long after consumption, with an entry that is gentle and smooth. In terms of aroma, it offers woody and floral fruity scents. How to Describe the Taste of Pu'er Ripened Tea 1. Aroma The aged aroma is the most basic scent in ripened tea. If stored properly, ripened tea that has aged for more than five years will develop into a richer and more complex bouquet, including aromas like camphor, ginseng, medicinal, jujube, aged, woody, and others. The pile-fermentation process may result in a "pile-fermentation smell" in new ripened teas. However, skilled processing and strict production procedures can reduce this odor to some extent, and after two or three years of aging, the pile-fermentation smell will fade, revealing a fuller and rounder taste. 2.…

Raw Pu'er tea exhibits various aromas such as orchid, floral, and fruity scents, while ripe Pu'er tea has distinct aromas like aged wood and camphor. These two types of tea have significant differences in both aroma and taste. If stored together, the inherent adsorbent properties of the teas can cause the aromas to mix, which not only alters the original aroma of the teas but may also introduce unwanted flavors. In a single storage container, even if storing only one type of tea (either raw or ripe), it is best to keep teas with similar aromas together. Why Can't Raw and Ripe Teas Be Stored Together? 1. Firstly, raw and ripe Pu'er teas have different aroma profiles. Raw Pu'er tea typically features fresh aromas like downy fragrance, lotus, and flowers, whereas ripe Pu'er tea often has more mature aromas such as ginseng, medicinal herbs, aged wood, dates, and camphor. Due to these differing aroma types, if raw and ripe teas are stored together, their aroma compounds can cross-advertise, masking or altering each other's natural aromas. The result would be a blend that doesn’t truly represent either the raw or ripe tea, and such mixed-flavored teas are generally not well-received in…

Pu'er tea, as one of the gems in Chinese teas, boasts a rich and unique set of qualities that exude an enchanting allure. From its appearance, high-quality Pu'er tea has robust and tightly bound leaves with a dark lustrous or brownish-red color, giving it a sense of stability and solidity. Round and well-formed cake teas, intricately crafted tuocha, and solid brick teas each exhibit their own unique beauty in craftsmanship. In terms of aroma, Pu'er tea stands out with its distinct character. It may contain a variety of rich and complex aromas, such as aged fragrance, camphor scent, woody aroma, jujube fragrance, ginseng-like scent, and more. The aroma of young teas is fresh and natural, becoming deeper, more restrained, and longer-lasting over time as the tea ages. The aged fragrance, a hallmark aroma of Pu'er tea after years of aging, seems to tell the story of time itself. In terms of taste, Pu'er tea is full-bodied with a thick and viscous liquor. Initially, there might be a slight bitterness, but this quickly transforms into a sweet aftertaste, creating a delightful experience of bitterness turning into sweetness that lingers on the palate. Its liquor has a rich texture that can be…

Basic Introduction to Mingxi Golden Thread OrchidThe official name of the Golden Thread Orchid in Chinese medicine is Jin Xian Lan. It is the whole plant of Liparis and Saccoglottis plants from the Orchidaceae family. In folk terms, it is also known as Golden Thread, Golden Earring, Bird Ginseng, Golden Thread Tiger Banana, Golden Thread Bone Remedy, Golden Coin Grass, and Golden Thread Lycopodium.Public Notice No. 3 for the Registration of Geographical Indications of Agricultural Products of the People's Republic of China implements the protection of the geographical indication for the product "Mingxi Golden Thread Orchid." Nutritional ValueThe entire plant of the Golden Thread Orchid can be used medicinally, with a neutral taste and sweet flavor. The Golden Thread Orchid has cooling and blood-purifying properties, as well as benefits for expelling wind and dampness, detoxification, pain relief, cough suppression, and more. It is used to treat difficult conditions such as hemoptysis, bronchitis, nephritis, cystitis, diabetes, hematuria, rheumatoid arthritis, tumors, and others. History and FolkloreAccording to legend, a long time ago, a fairy bird with an injured leg hobbled into a valley to find medicine. By a mountain spring, it saw the shiny leaves of the Golden Thread Orchid and pecked…

Tea is closely related to our daily lives, and drinking tea has many benefits, such as reducing fat and aiding digestion. However, there are many considerations when drinking tea, and it's important to be aware of certain things to truly gain health benefits. Here are some points to keep in mind. What Precautions Should Be Taken When Drinking Tea? 1. It's best to drink tea about an hour after a meal. Dr. Liu Yandi, the director of the Gastroenterology Department at Tianjin People's Hospital, explains that drinking tea after a meal can affect iron absorption. Tannins in tea can bind with dietary iron, forming a precipitate that hinders iron absorption, which may lead to anemia over time. Therefore, it's best to drink tea about an hour after eating. Also, avoid drinking tea on an empty stomach, as it can dilute gastric acid, affecting digestion and potentially causing dizziness, palpitations, or other discomforts. 2. The first infusion of tea should be discarded. Some teas may contain residual pesticides, dust mites, etc., so it's best to discard the first infusion. Fresh teas have a short storage period and contain higher levels of unoxidized polyphenols, aldehydes, and alcohols, which can strongly stimulate the…

Pu'er tea stands out among teas, as its flavor improves with age. However, not all teas become more fragrant over time; this is only true when the quality of the tea and storage conditions are appropriate. Pu'er ripe tea is suitable for long-term storage, but this does not mean it can be stored indefinitely. Ultimately, the tea must return to its primary purpose: consumption. How Long Should Pu'er Ripe Tea Be Stored? Many people ask questions on this topic, which covers a broad range and cannot be explained in great detail due to the extensive knowledge involved. Generally speaking, ripe Pu'er can be consumed immediately after production, but it tastes better after three to five years. This improvement is mainly due to the process of wet-piling. Wet-piling involves moistening and heating the tea leaves to make them somewhat cooked. After being heated, the tea continues to develop when exposed to air. Unlike raw Pu'er, this development in ripe Pu'er is less noticeable, with an increase in smoothness and little change in aroma, as it has already been mostly defined by the wet-piling process. The duration of wet-piling is a critical step in producing ripe Pu'er. High-quality teas should not be…

Pu'er tea is primarily tasted for its flavor, which should be sweet, smooth, substantial, and have a mature fragrance. Sweetness refers to the obvious aftertaste that should be present upon sipping; smoothness means the tea broth should be soft and smooth with a pure taste and not overly stimulating; substantiality means the tea broth should be thick and not watery, with a rich flavor in the mouth. The mature fragrance is a unique aroma of Pu'er tea, revealing its profound historical character, highlighting its return to simplicity and natural authenticity, and its fruity aroma exhibits a characteristic of sincerity and warmth, offering an irresistible allure. How to Determine the Quality of Aged Pu'er Tea 1. Scent the Tea Aged Pu'er tea, after long-term maturation, develops a natural mature fragrance, or even aromas reminiscent of old wood or ginseng, without any impurities. The older and better the Pu'er tea, the fewer odd or foreign odors it will have. 2. Examine the Dry Leaves Good aged Pu'er tea has leaves that are a lustrous brown-red color, uniformly so. When gently pinched between the fingers, they feel slightly puffed due to oxidation and fermentation. Early teas were often hand-picked, with less rolling during…

In general, we do not recommend taking ginseng and tea together. Ginseng should not be consumed with tea. This is recorded in many traditional Chinese medicine books. However, these records do not provide a clear explanation of why. Nor do they specify the required interval to negate any adverse effects. Thus, it's difficult to give an accurate account of their relationship. The primary component of ginseng is ginsenoside (also called ginseng saponin). Tea contains a significant amount of caffeine and tannic acid. Caffeine and tannic acid react with nutrients in our food, affecting nutrient absorption. In modern medicine, it has been observed that caffeine and tannic acid can cause the proteins in gastric protease and multienzyme tablets to coagulate, reducing or eliminating their effectiveness. Hence, modern Western medicine does not recommend drinking tea when taking medications. Therefore, we can infer that when ginseng and tea are taken together, the caffeine and tannic acid may interfere with the action of ginsenosides, reducing the efficacy of ginseng. It's not that ginseng and tea cannot be consumed together, but drinking tea after taking ginseng reduces its effectiveness. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, tea is bitter and cool in nature, classified as a…

Generally speaking, Pu'er tea does not have a specific expiration date. As long as it is stored properly, it can be kept for an extended period. The longer the Pu'er tea is stored, the higher its collection value becomes. However, in terms of taste, it is best to age Pu'er tea for more than five years. Once it has been stored for around ten years, it becomes aged Pu'er tea. Aged Pu'er tea possesses unique aromas that fresh tea leaves do not have, which are developed through long-term fermentation. Moreover, the longer the storage time, the richer the aroma and the milder the nature of the tea becomes. The Optimal Aging Periods for Pu'er Tea First Tasting Period The first three months after the new tea is prepared For example, spring tea pressed and stored for two or three months. At this stage, the new tea has just lost its moisture. It is strong and full-bodied with a fresh, slightly astringent taste, and its strengths and weaknesses are clear. Its aroma is high and pervasive. This tea is suitable for light tasting. Second Tasting Period Between one to two years after preparation During this time, the fresh and astringent flavors…

The diverse and ever-changing scents of tea are one of the main motivators for many new tea enthusiasts to get started, and a source of enjoyment for seasoned tea connoisseurs. For example, green teas have a "roasted chestnut" or "fried bean" aroma, while black teas tend towards a "sweet fruit" or "flower honey" scent. The variety of aromas in Pu'er tea is even richer, with raw Pu'er offering lotus, orchid, and fruity scents, as well as apricot aroma, while ripe Pu'er has glutinous rice, jujube, woody notes, and more. Many of these aromas can overlap. Where do all these aromas come from? Why do so many of them only approximate rather than perfectly match the descriptions they're given? In this article, Lu Li will guide tea enthusiasts through the different layers of tea aromas and where the various types of Pu'er tea aromas originate. Sources of Pu'er Tea Aromas In earlier times, Taiwanese tea expert Deng Shihai summarized four types of Pu'er tea aromas: camphor, lotus, orchid, and green (fresh) aromas. Later, the industry continued to summarize the rules of changes in Pu'er tea aromas, adding more descriptive terms that contributed to the development of the Pu'er tea aroma system.…

There is an old saying: "Preserved tangerine peel of a hundred years is like ginseng of a thousand years," meaning that the longer the tangerine peel is preserved, the more valuable it becomes. Runyuanchang's pure dry warehouse for Newhui preserved tangerine peel strictly categorizes and stores the peels according to their origin, age, and grade. The warehouse maintains constant temperature and humidity, and conducts regular inspections, ensuring the high quality of Runyuanchang and its brand Ganrentang's Newhui preserved tangerine peel, which stands out for its clean and sweet flavor compared to other preserved tangerine peels on the market. Nowadays, many people have the habit of using preserved tangerine peel in their cooking. Whether it's in soups or stir-fries, some recipes opt to use tangerine peel instead of scallions and ginger to avoid being too spicy, as it not only detoxifies fish and shrimp but also adds a unique aroma and removes fishy odors. Adding some to mutton or beef soup can help cut through the fat and make the meat cook faster. When cooked with rice porridge, it not only enhances the fragrance but also warms the stomach. Many recipes for using tangerine peel in cooking have been discovered. 1.…