-
What Does “Sha Qing” Mean and the Purpose of Sha Qing in Tea?
Sha Qing is a process in tea production, which involves using high temperatures to denature and deactivate the oxidase enzymes in fresh tea leaves. This inhibits the enzymatic oxidation of polyphenols in the fresh leaves, allowing them to release moisture and become softer. It is also a critical step in shaping the quality of the tea. Methods of sha qing include drum sha qing, pan sha qing, trough sha qing, steam sha qing, hot air sha qing, and microwave sha qing. Different methods produce different effects, thus resulting in unique characteristics in the finished tea. Sha qing follows the principle of "high temperature first, then gradually lower." Sha qing is one of the initial processes in making green tea, yellow tea, dark tea, oolong tea, Pu'er tea, and some black teas. The primary purpose is to use high temperatures to denature the enzymes in the fresh leaves, inhibiting the enzymatic oxidation of polyphenols and slowing down the fermentation process. 1. The Purpose of Sha Qing The term "sha qing" refers to fresh leaves. In Pu'er tea production, sha qing uses a specific temperature to denature the activity of enzymes in the tea leaves, inhibiting the enzymatic oxidation of polyphenols and… -
The Secret of Storing New White Tea That Manufacturers Won’t Tell You? Someone Discovered It After Ten Years.
This is a true conversation that took place between a tea maker with over a decade of experience and a connoisseur who has been storing white tea for the same amount of time, at a white tea factory. Eventually, a rapid moisture analyzer was used to test the controversial batch of white tea, revealing that its moisture content (the percentage of water in the tea leaves) had reached 6.4%. The tea maker's family sourced their tea leaves from a local core area and did a decent job with the white tea production process. Crucially, they never had trouble selling their tea each year, so he didn't have much of an awareness about storing white tea. The oldest teas they could find in the factory were no more than four to five years old, and there wasn't much of it.Why had the moisture content increased from less than 5% when the tea was first made to over 6% now? He couldn't figure it out and didn't seem too worried. In a thriving market, he didn't need to think too much about it.On the other hand, the connoisseur had started learning how to store white tea back in 2009 because he loved… -
How is Dragon Ball Tea Made?
How is Dragon Ball tea made? The production method of Dragon Ball Pu'er tea is the same as that of raw Pu'er tea, except that Dragon Balls are in a spherical form. The shape of Dragon Balls represents a revival of the Pu'er tea cake form. In the past, tea cakes required breaking before brewing, but now Dragon Balls come in sizes of 5-8 grams, just right for one serving, eliminating the need for breaking. As Dragon Ball tea cakes maintain the taste of tea while being convenient and appealing to consumer preferences, they have been well-received by the market. The Process of Making Sun-Dried Green Tea 1. Preparation of Raw Materials Preparation of raw materials is the most important step in making sun-dried green tea. This type of tea is best made from fresh buds and leaves of large-leaf tea varieties, which should be handpicked using proper techniques to ensure high-quality tea leaves. 2. Spreading Out and Fixation After picking, the tea leaves should be spread out and placed in a cool, ventilated area to speed up the evaporation of moisture. Once the fresh leaves become soft, they can proceed to the next step. Fixation, which can be conducted…- 2
- 0
-
Among the myriad Liubao teas, how do you select a “daily staple tea”?
Many of my friends adore Liubao tea. Whenever we gather for a tea session, some tea enthusiasts always request recommendations for one or two daily staple teas. A "daily staple tea" refers to a tea with good quality and flavor that meets one's needs in terms of strength, at a reasonable price, making it suitable for daily consumption. Generally, this type of tea achieves a balance between quality and cost. Inferior teas are disregarded no matter how cheap they may be, but Liubao teas priced over ten thousand yuan per catty, such as the "Wutu Heihe" and 0101 Liubao teas, are clearly not affordable for most people and therefore cannot become the "daily staple tea" loved by ordinary folks. Considering both the desire for a tea that is "delicious" and one that doesn't make you feel guilty about drinking, selecting an appropriate Liubao tea can be quite challenging. The editor has drawn upon the extensive tasting experiences of many Liubao tea enthusiasts and found that the price range for entry-level daily staple teas is typically between 100-200 yuan per catty, while mid-range daily staple teas are priced between 200-500 yuan per catty. Teas priced above 500 yuan per catty are… -
The Correct Way to Savor White Tea: Master These Tips and You’ll Be an Aroma Expert!
Why has Fuding white tea become so popular in recent years? Some say that the ultimate appeal of white tea is its "vitality"; it awakens your entire being when you drink it. It doesn't just pass through your mouth but permeates your whole body, awakening your soul. So, when drinking white tea, it's not just about tasting its flavor but also savoring its aroma. And how do you properly appreciate the aroma of white tea? The correct method is crucial! I. Understanding the Aroma In general, white tea has a rich and fragrant aroma. However, if processed properly or stored well, it can also exhibit a pure and intense scent. High-grade white teas like Silver Needle and premium White Peony have a characteristic downy aroma, which is a critical factor in aroma evaluation, and should be prominent. Due to their early picking and tenderness, they also have a noticeable fresh fragrance. 1. The "Aroma" of Silver Needle A well-aged, cleanly stored, and high-quality Silver Needle has a refined style with a lingering aftertaste. Its aroma is delicate yet varied and enduring, with a clean and sweet taste that lingers in the mouth, creating a lasting salivation effect with a pleasant…- 2
- 0
-
Puer Tea Sealed vs. Ventilated Storage Comparative Experiment
Puer Tea Sealed Storage Experiment Sealed storage of Puer tea inevitably involves the issue of oxygen supply in the warehouse. According to post-fermentation theory, Puer tea requires oxygen and a certain level of humidity for post-fermentation, so the tea storage warehouse needs to be ventilated to allow the tea to undergo post-fermentation. However, many people have found that when tea is stored under ventilated conditions, while the infusion color turns red, it loses its aroma after two or three years, and the bitterness and astringency do not diminish over time. Additionally, under ventilated conditions, the tea's aroma naturally cannot be preserved. In fact, the later changes in Puer tea are influenced by two factors: one is microbial fermentation, which is an external effect; the other is the action of active enzymes within the tea leaves, which is an internal effect. After sealing and controlling the humidity, Puer tea does not require microbial fermentation, but instead relies primarily on the active enzymes present in the tea to facilitate its transformation. When storing tea in a sealed and oxygen-deprived environment, how would Puer tea change? This question led me to conduct an experiment on the effects of oxygen in sealed storage. Experimental… -
Lao Xu on Tea: Is Loose Pu’er Tea Less Suitable for Aging Compared to Compressed Tea? Why? Look at the Production Process!
Everyone should be aware that there are two different forms of tea circulating in the Pu'er market. One is loose tea, which we also call loose leaf tea; the other is finished tea products produced by tea factories, which are compressed into three main shapes: tuocha, cake (beeng), and brick. Why do we compress loose leaf tea into these shapes? What advantages does this compression offer? Today, let's discuss this topic. The vast majority of teas circulating in the entire Pu'er market are in the form of cakes, bricks, or tuo. This applies to both raw and ripe teas. To understand their advantages, we need to first get a general idea of their compression process. First, the loose leaf tea purchased from farmers undergoes a process to remove impurities. It goes through a color sorter to pick out yellow leaves, stems, and larger impurities. The wind selection process is now rarely used as it results in significant loss and mediocre results. Then, an electrostatic machine removes hair-like matter and ash from the tea, ensuring it meets national standards for purity. Some manufacturers also perform grading, sorting the tea into several grades and blending them according to specific ratios. This step… -
Five Quality Standards for Premium Pu’er Tea
For Pu'er tea, many friends find it complex, especially those who are just starting to explore the world of Pu'er tea. The diverse flavors from different regions and the concept that Pu'er tea improves with age can be confusing. Additionally, seeing a wide range of prices in the market makes it even harder to know where to start, often leaving buyers guessing. In this article, we will discuss how a high-quality Pu'er tea should look, smell, taste, and appear, providing useful information for tea enthusiasts when selecting their teas. Five Quality Standards for Premium Pu'er Tea 1. Dry Leaf Appearance: The compressed tea leaves should have an appropriate level of tightness and uniformity; they should have a smooth and lustrous color. For ripe Pu'er tea, the color should be dark brown with a glossy sheen and visible golden tips. For raw Pu'er tea, the color should be dark and lustrous. 2. Aroma: Assess the purity and longevity of the tea's fragrance A standard-quality Pu'er tea should have a pure aroma, free from any off-flavors, impurities, or unpleasant moldy odors. Pu'er tea is known for its ability to improve with age, and its fragrance develops through microbial and enzymatic activities during… -
Typhoon Weather Approaches: Time to Pay Attention to Storing Your Tea!
Monastery on Nine-day Mountain The chrysanthemums by the eastern fence are also turning yellow. Worldly people often indulge in wine. Who understands and enhances the fragrance of tea? The fifth typhoon of the year, Doksuri, has made landfall in Fujian, prompting a red alert from the National Meteorological Center. Meanwhile, Typhoon Khanun, the sixth of the season, is poised and gradually intensifying. The typhoons bring heavy rainfall and a great deal of moisture, making it a critical time for tea enthusiasts. Slight carelessness can result in moldy tea leaves... So, what should you pay attention to when storing tea during typhoon weather? Typhoon Tea Storage Tips Watch Out for High Temperatures In the scorching summer, while typhoons may arrive, many might mistakenly think that temperatures have dropped. However, even if there's an occasional decrease, high temperatures remain the norm, so tea lovers need to be extra cautious. Various substances in tea decompose under high temperatures, reducing the aroma, taste, and quality of the tea. Storing tea at temperatures below 10°C effectively inhibits browning. White tea, in particular, is best stored at temperatures between 25°C and 30°C. In a cool and dry environment, the enzymes within the tea can maintain sufficient… -
Kunming Warehouse Pu’er Tea Characteristics
The aroma and taste of Pu'er tea after brewing are determined by the raw materials, processing techniques, and storage conditions. Due to different storage environments in various places, the same tea can develop completely different flavor profiles after a few years of aging. When selecting mid-aged and older teas, in addition to considering factors such as brand, price, and vintage, where the tea has been stored and aged is also very important. Many tea enthusiasts enjoy drinking Pu'er tea from the Kunming warehouse. What are the distinctive features of these teas? Kunming is located on the Yunnan plateau at a high altitude, with relatively small annual temperature fluctuations and a climate that is moderately warm and humid. These conditions make it very suitable for storing Pu'er tea. Compared to lower-altitude warehouses with higher temperatures and humidity, Pu'er tea stored in Kunming may undergo slower overall transformation, but it enjoys high recognition among tea enthusiasts and often commands better prices for the same vintage. Characteristics of Pu'er Tea Stored in the Kunming Warehouse First, Aroma: The aroma changes are relatively noticeable, often featuring honey-like notes, but undesirable aromas such as smoky, burnt, or moldy scents are more difficult to dissipate. Second,… -
Issues in Guizhou Green Tea Processing and Key Technical Points for Solutions
The low temperature and high humidity environment of the spring tea season in Guizhou, along with the performance differences in processing equipment, affect the quality of spring tea processing. To improve the quality of spring tea products and highlight the regional characteristics of Guizhou green tea, mastering key techniques such as withering, fixation, shaping, and drying is essential. The following provides an explanation based on the critical common technologies in green tea processing: Program-controlled withered leaves in the withering room I. Withering Withering is the first process in green tea processing. Good withering can improve the efficiency of fixation and better address issues with bitterness and astringency in the tea liquor. 1. Issues (1) Thicker layers of withering leaves often require turning to ensure uniform withering, which can cause mechanical damage to the leaves. (2) Withering equipment lacks auxiliary heating devices, making it difficult to control the progress of withering. (3) During withering, the digital display temperature of the auxiliary heating device is used as a reference, while ignoring the temperature of the withering leaves. (4) The degree of withering is typically judged by the softness of the leaves and their color, neglecting the presence of stems. Program-controlled unit for…- 2
- 0
-
What is the shelf life of tea?
As we all know, tea is a kind of food and therefore has a certain shelf life. However, the length of the shelf life is related to its manufacturing process. There are different types of tea: black tea, green tea, red tea, white tea, yellow tea, and oolong tea. Below is an introduction to the shelf life of tea. What is the shelf life of tea? Generally, fresh tea is better. For example, the shelf life of green tea is usually around one year when stored at room temperature. Of course, it mainly depends on how well you store it. If stored properly, the shelf life can be quite long. 1. Black Tea Black tea is known for getting better with age. The longest shelf life among teas is typically for black tea. Brick tea is best stored for 10 to 15 years, qianliang tea for 10 to 15 years, and loose leaf tea for 5 to 10 years, as these periods offer the highest economic and drinking value. High-quality teas made from premium ingredients are enjoyable after being stored for 1 to 2 years. Puer tea is divided into raw and ripe varieties. Generally, the shelf life of raw… -
Detection Technology: Determination of Ellagic Acid Content in Pu’er Ripened Tea by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
Ellagic acid (EA) is a biologically active phenolic compound widely present in plant tissues such as fruits and nuts, with its structure shown in Figure 1. It is a dimeric derivative of gallic acid. In nature, ellagic acid mainly exists in condensed forms, such as ellagitannins. Ellagic acid is essentially non-toxic and has a significant inhibitory effect on chemically-induced carcinogenesis and various types of cancers, including colon cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, and others. Additionally, ellagic acid also exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, melanin inhibition, and leukemia improvement effects. Due to its excellent biological activity, ellagic acid is widely used in health foods, medicine, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other fields. Studies have shown that tea is an important dietary source of ellagitannins and ellagic acid, which are converted from ellagitannins through human gut microbiota metabolism. ▲ Human Metabolic Pathway Pu'er ripened tea, a famous Yunnan tea, is a unique microbial-fermented tea made from large-leaf sun-dried green tea. The essence of solid-state fermentation in Pu'er ripened tea is primarily the result of moist heat, enzymatic actions, and microbial activities. During the fermentation process of large-leaf green teas, microbial metabolism releases a large amount of heat, and the enzymes… -
Beware! These Odors Indicate Your Tea Isn’t of Good Quality
The scent is the most immediate aspect to greet you before drinking tea. A pleasant aroma refreshes the mind, while an off-odor is displeasing and makes the tea uncomfortable to drink. If you detect any of these unpleasant odors, be cautious. Charred Odor in Tea The charred odor is produced when leaves are carbonized during tea processing. A charred odor in tea typically occurs in two situations: First, if some old leaves are mixed in during stir-frying, or if the leaves aren’t stirred evenly, or if there’s too much leaf debris, they can easily become charred. Another common situation is with Wuyi Rock Tea where, if the roasting isn’t properly controlled, or if the roasting is intentionally overdone to mask some defects in the leaves, it can lead to carbonization. The result is a charred odor and a bitter taste. In daily life, many people don’t pay much attention to the charred odor in their tea. However, charred tea should not be consumed. Most of the nutrients in charred tea have been lost, so from both a nutritional and food hygiene perspective, charred tea leaves should not be drunk. Water-Stagnation Odor in Tea The water-stagnation odor refers to a dull…- 1
- 0
-
Differentiating the Quality of Black Tea
Black tea is one of the six major types of tea, known for its sweet aroma and rich taste. In the tea market, black tea enjoys high sales volumes, which unfortunately also attracts unscrupulous vendors trying to pass off inferior products as high-quality ones. In such cases, it's essential to know how to differentiate between them. Here’s a guide on how to identify the quality of black tea. Differentiating the Quality of Black Tea To differentiate the quality of black tea, it can be categorized into three types: premium, substandard, and low-quality. The evaluation involves using your senses – touch, sight, smell, and taste – to make a comprehensive assessment. 1. Touch: Pick up a small amount and feel the tightness, weight, and thickness of the tea leaves. High-quality black tea tends to have relatively tightly bound leaves, with heavier and more substantial ones being preferable. Loose, light, and coarse leaves are indicative of lower quality. 2. Sight: Observe whether the dry tea leaves are uniform in shape and consistent in color, and check for the presence of golden tips in some varieties. After brewing, examine the clarity and color of the tea liquor and the appearance of the infused… -
Purpose of Puer Tea Rolling
The rolling of Puer tea is the first process after the tea has been subjected to initial heat treatment (withering). Traditionally, the method involves transferring the withered tea from the wok onto bamboo mats, wide wooden boards, or clean cement floors, where the tea is manually "rolled" and "twisted" by hand. This action is somewhat similar to kneading flour. So, what is the purpose of rolling Puer tea? Puer Tea Rolling Methods 1. Manual Rolling The manual rolling of Puer tea typically requires two rounds of rolling. The first round occurs after the tea has been withered and laid out to cool; it is rolled until the leaves are mostly in strip form and tea juice begins to seep out. The leaves are then left to dry until the next morning before undergoing a second round of rolling to ensure that even the coarser and older stems and leaves are tightly formed into strips. A special bamboo-made rolling mat is used for this process. The rolling technique requires circular, complete, and coordinated movements that are both firm and gentle, ensuring that the tea leaves are evenly pressured and conducive to forming strips. The duration and strength of the rolling are…- 7
- 0
-
How to Determine the Quality of Pu’er Ripened Tea?
Ripened tea is gentle on the stomach, helps reduce lipids and cuts through greasiness, with a stable taste that many tea enthusiasts love. So let's take a look at the aspects from which we can identify the quality of ripened tea. From the appearance, high-quality Pu'er tea generally displays prominent golden tips, tightly bound and heavy leaves, with a lustrous brown-red color. If the color is black or uneven, with green patches or withered and dull appearances, it indicates poor processing or improper storage, and is generally not good ripened tea. In compressed ripened teas, using cake tea as an example, the focus should be on whether the leaves are clearly visible and uniformly arranged, without missing edges or corners, consistently thick, neither too tight nor too loose, and neatly and tightly bound; normal colors include dark brown, chestnut brown, and brownish red. If there are mold flowers or spots on the surface of the ripened Pu'er tea, it is considered inferior. From the liquor color, Pu'er ripened tea requires a bright, deep red color. A deep red is normal. Yellow, orange-yellow, or dark and murky liquor colors are all indicative of inferior quality teas. An orange-yellow or dark liquor… -
Nine “Luxurious” Tea-Drinking Behaviors – Do You Have Any of Them?
Tea drinking, much like coffee drinking, can be addictive. Once you experience the joy, you might find yourself engrossed in certain behaviors without even realizing it. How many of these apply to you? Stockpiling tea The desire to stockpile tea is similar to the urge to stockpile groceries. When you finally manage to buy some, why not stock up a bit more? What if it becomes unavailable later on? Or what if the price goes up? And so, you end up with... more tea than you can drink. Buying various teaware A good horse deserves a good saddle, and fine tea deserves beautiful teaware. Longjing tea should be paired with a celadon porcelain cup, Houqiu with a simple Sung-style glass bottle, and Wuyi rock tea wouldn't be complete without a set of gongfu tea ware... Before you know it, your collection of cups and pots has grown exponentially. Your storage cabinet is filled with all sorts of teaware of different shapes, materials, and styles. In a way, these collections represent the various moods of the tea drinker. Feeling an itch to try new teas Chinese tea has strong regional characteristics, and the same leaf can produce countless flavors. For tea…- 1
- 0
-
Does Tea Need to Be Refrigerated?
Traditionally processed oolong teas, such as Wuyi rock tea, Phoenix Dancong, and baked Tie Guan Yin, have good stability after roasting. They do not need to be stored in the refrigerator but can be kept in a cool, dry place instead. Oolong teas are generally safe to store at room temperature since they are fully fermented, and this has little impact on their quality. Dark teas, white teas, Pu'er teas, and aged teas, especially Pu'er, rely on aging for their drinking value. Storing these types of tea in the refrigerator could cause dampness issues and also reduce the activity of beneficial enzymes and bacteria within the tea. It is these enzymes and bacteria that contribute to the tea's flavor development over time. Refrigerating these teas would significantly affect their aging process. These types of teas are best stored at room temperature in a dark, well-ventilated, dry area away from strong odors. Storing them in the refrigerator could lead to mold growth. Should Green Tea Be Refrigerated? Green tea is unique because it is meant to be enjoyed for its fresh and crisp taste. Typically, we only drink green tea from the first flush (before the Ming festival). The tea oxidizes… -
The Shelf Life of the Six Types of Tea
The shelf life of tea is not clearly defined, and it varies for different types of tea. For example, black tea can be stored for 2 to 3 years; green tea and yellow tea are typically best consumed within 18 months; oolong tea can be stored for 3 to 5 years; and dark tea and white tea, if properly preserved, can last around 15 years. There are six main categories of Chinese tea, each with its own storage duration. Do you know how long they can be stored? The Shelf Life of the Six Types of Tea 1. Green Tea: The shelf life of green tea is the shortest. Generally, at room temperature, it has a shelf life of about one year. If you have a dedicated refrigerator for storing green tea (which would make you quite the tea connoisseur), the shelf life can be extended to around 18 months. 2. Black Tea: As a fully fermented tea, black tea has a relatively long shelf life and can be stored for more than two years. However, if stored properly, it may undergo transformation after two years. If this transformation is successful, it can be stored for even longer periods. 3.… -
Identification and Control of the New Tea Pest, Mycterothrips gongshanensis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)
Green Production Technology Innovation Team, Tea Research Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences / Xishuangbanna Comprehensive Test Station, National Tea Industry Technology System Mycterothrips gongshanensis, a new pest on tea plants, belongs to the order Insecta, family Thysanoptera, genus Thripidae, and species Mycterothrips. It is a cryptic bud and leaf pest that has been widely occurring in tea gardens in Yunnan province in recent years, with increasingly severe damage. I. Distribution and Damage Mycterothrips gongshanensis is prevalent in tea-growing areas of Yunnan, causing outbreaks in some tea gardens. The adult and nymph stages hide in the crevices between buds and leaves or at the tips and edges of the first leaf below the bud, feeding on the sap of young shoots and tender buds. Initially, the tips and edges of the affected leaves show yellow spots, which then gradually develop into brown patches. The buds and leaves become deformed and curled, the internodes shorten, and their growth slows down. Severe cases result in the easy detachment of leaves upon slight touch, leading to leaf fall and bare shoots, significantly affecting tea yield and quality, and potentially causing substantial economic losses in summer and autumn tea production. Damage caused by Mycterothrips… -
Prevention and Remedial Measures for Drought Damage in Tea Gardens
To prevent drought damage in tea gardens and reduce losses in tea production, supplementary measures to replenish water and suppress evaporation can be taken before the onset of drought. These include irrigation to supplement water, loosening the soil and weeding, inter-row grass covering, etc., to maintain and regulate soil moisture and improve the microclimate around the tea plants, thereby enhancing the tea trees' drought resistance. Irrigation Replenishment Tea garden irrigation methods include furrow irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation, among others, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Furrow irrigation is suitable for flat tea gardens and can quickly increase soil moisture levels, promptly rescuing drought-stressed tea trees, but it consumes a large amount of water, has a small impact on air humidity, and can lead to waste of water resources through surface runoff and deep seepage, as well as damaging some of the topsoil structure. Drip irrigation reduces evaporation and saves water, but it requires a higher initial investment and cannot effectively improve the microclimate of the tea garden. Therefore, in recent decades, sprinkler irrigation has been the primary method used for drought prevention and mitigation in tea gardens. Sprinkler Irrigation can not only increase soil moisture but also lower…- 3
- 0
❯
Search
Scan to open current page
Top
Checking in, please wait...
Click for today's check-in bonus!
You have earned {{mission.data.mission.credit}} points today
My Coupons
-
$CouponsLimitation of use:Expired and UnavailableLimitation of use:
before
Limitation of use:Permanently validCoupon ID:×Available for the following products: Available for the following products categories: Unrestricted use:Available for all products and product types
No coupons available!
Daily tasks completed