Tea Knowledge

Longjing Tea is a famous green tea. Produced in the Zhejiang region, Longjing tea has a bright green color, rich aroma, sweet and refreshing taste, and a shape resembling a sparrow's tongue. It is characterized by its "four unique qualities": color, aroma, taste, and appearance. Furthermore, the amino acids, catechins, Vitamin C, and other components found in Longjing tea are more abundant than in other teas, making it nutritionally rich and having many benefits. Below, I will explain the numerous benefits and effects of Longjing tea. Ingredients Benefits of Longjing Tea 1. Quenches thirst, boosts alertness, aids digestion, and has anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties. 2. Antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, anticarcinogenic, reduces cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels in the blood, inhibits blood pressure rise, prevents platelet aggregation, antibacterial, and antiallergenic. Effects of Longjing Tea 1. Longjing tea has an invigorating effect: The caffeine in tea can stimulate the central nervous system, helping to refresh the mind, improve thinking, relieve fatigue, and increase work efficiency. 2. Longjing tea has a diuretic effect: The caffeine and theophylline in tea have a diuretic effect, used for treating edema and water retention. Using black tea with sugar for its detoxifying and diuretic effects can treat acute jaundice…

The price of a ten-year-old Pu'er tea cake generally ranges from several thousand to tens of thousands of yuan. Among them, the more affordable Pu'er tea cakes are usually those that are over ten years old, made from old tea trees, and priced in the range of several thousand yuan. A Ten-Year-Old Tea Cake Is Valuable A ten-year-old tea cake is valuable. Long-term aging gives the tea a more unique flavor, making it more valuable for both collection and investment. Especially with a tea cake aged for over ten years, which has undergone longer maturation, its quality improves, and prices typically range between 1,000 and 2,000 yuan. Of course, the price may fluctuate depending on the scarcity of the tea and other factors. In Hong Kong and Taiwan, the price of Pu'er tea cakes is relatively higher, around 2,000 to 3,000 yuan, while in mainland China, ten-year-old Pu'er tea cakes are priced between 1,000 and 2,000 yuan. A Ten-Year-Old Tea Cake Is Not Valuable It's not valuable. If Pu'er tea is not sold as a complete set, its price isn't high, and a conclusion can only be reached after tasting. With an increase in brand recognition, the value of tea…

  The greatest advantage of buying tea online is convenience; there are no time restrictions for purchases, and there's no need to make a special trip to a tea shop. After placing an order, you can simply wait at home for the delivery.   Many tea enthusiasts choose to buy tea online because of the broad selection available, including different types of tea such as green tea, black tea, and Pu'er tea, from various regions, brands, and vintages, all at different price points.   Without the need to rent prime retail space with high foot traffic, many online tea shops have lower rental costs, which often translates into more affordable tea prices compared to physical stores.   Tea enthusiasts with some knowledge of tea evaluation can find good-quality teas at reasonable prices online with patience and careful selection.   Those who are reluctant to buy tea online believe that they cannot directly inspect the tea before purchasing or assess its aroma, taste, and mouthfeel through tasting. If they end up with poor-quality or unsatisfactory tea, the process of returns and exchanges can be troublesome.   Compared to physical stores, buying tea online does carry a higher risk of encountering problems.…

According to the storage conditions for Pu'er tea, it should not be stored in sealed packaging. This is because Pu'er tea undergoes post-fermentation, and during its storage, there is an ongoing transformation process within the tea leaves. Tea polyphenols react with active enzymes through oxidation. This allows beneficial bacteria to reproduce quickly while killing harmful bacteria. This process requires the presence of oxygen and cannot occur in a vacuum. Therefore, if you want Pu'er tea to transform well over time, it must not be stored in a sealed environment. However, due to environmental limitations, many individuals storing tea at home do not have suitable conditions for tea storage and can only choose to store Pu'er tea in sealed bags. So, is it good to store Pu'er tea long-term in a sealed bag? How to Store Pu'er Tea at Home The main issues when storing Pu'er tea at home are moisture control and preventing odors. Do you have any good methods to address these? Please share them in the comments section: In most cases, many households lack professional equipment and dedicated spaces for tea storage, making it difficult to manage moisture and odors effectively. However, personal tea storage at home can…

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…

In Chinese culture, tea has always held a high status, being not only an indispensable drink in people's daily lives but also rich in cultural connotations. Among the many customs and etiquettes of tea culture, one includes not pouring tea full to the brim. At first glance, this may seem puzzling. Pouring tea is simply pouring tea into a cup, so why not fill it up? In fact, behind the custom of not pouring tea full to the brim, there lies profound cultural significance and practical reasons. "Seven-Tenths Full" in Tea Ceremonies In traditional Chinese tea ceremonies, tea is usually poured to seven-tenths full. This practice embodies the Confucian doctrine of the mean, which advocates not striving for excess and leaving room for more. Pouring tea to seven-tenths full not only prevents spillage that could scald guests or soil the tea table but also shows respect and consideration for guests. Leaving "Three-Tenths for Sentiment" The saying "Pour tea to seven-tenths full, leaving three-tenths for sentiment" reveals another reason for leaving some space when pouring tea. The remaining part symbolizes the host's care and expectations for their guests, hoping they will engage in more communication and sharing while enjoying the tea.…

Wilting is a fundamental and critical process in tea processing that directly affects the aroma, taste, and final quality of the tea. This article will explain the wilting process in detail and explore its application in the production of different types of tea and its impact on their quality. Basic Principles of the Wilting Process Wilting, also known as “water walking,” refers to the process where freshly picked tea leaves are subjected to natural evaporation or assisted methods under specific environmental conditions. This allows the moisture content within the leaves to gradually decrease, making them softer and promoting changes in their internal chemical composition. This process aids in the formation of the tea's aroma and improvement of its flavor. Application of Wilting in Different Types of Tea The wilting process plays a crucial role in the production of various teas, but the specific methods and duration vary depending on the type of tea and the desired quality: Green Tea: The wilting process for green tea is typically shorter, aimed at gently promoting changes in the tea’s internal chemical composition to maintain its green color and fresh aroma. Black Tea: In black tea production, the wilting period is longer, which is…

Often people ask me which type of Tie Guan Yin is the best, what is traditional Tie Guan Yin? Which tea can be considered traditionally processed Tie Guan Yin? Recently, Nong Xiang Xing (Full Aroma) Tie Guan Yin has become very popular. What are its benefits? So, we have carefully prepared this feature, hoping you will like it!The traditionally semi-fermented Anxi Tie Guan Yin tea has been tasted by experienced tea enthusiasts in the early days. Its flavor is quite strong, and new tea enthusiasts may find it hard to appreciate at first. After roasting, the color of the tea becomes darker, turning yellow or black, but the taste is very pure. The deep golden-yellow broth is representative of the broth of full aroma type teas. The refined Tie Guan Yin needs to be made according to the standards required for traditionally semi-fermented Tie Guan Yin tea. Tie Guan Yin comes in Fresh Aroma and Full Aroma types. Depending on the degree of roasting, the Full Aroma type is further divided into lightly roasted, moderately roasted, and heavily roasted. Depending on the roasting material, it is also divided into charcoal-roasted and oven-roasted. Roasting is extremely important for full aroma type…

First, do you know what cold brewed tea is? By cold brewed tea, we mean steeping tea leaves in cold water, a method that upends traditional ways of brewing tea. It’s perfect for office workers, students, drivers, hikers, and anyone else on the go. As long as you can get your hands on a bottle of mineral water, you can enjoy a delicious and healthful cup of cold brewed tea anytime. The aroma and taste of cold brewed tea differ from those achieved by pouring hot water over tea leaves in a teapot. Generally, people find the flavor of cold brewed tea more natural than that of canned tea drinks. Unfermented green tea, lightly fermented wulong tea, lightly fermented white pekoe, and white peony are all suitable for cold brewing. The less the tea has been fermented, the sweeter and fresher its taste will be when cold brewed. However, remember not to leave the tea too long; after eight hours, it’s best not to drink it. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, you can opt for cold brewed tea in the evening. If you’re drinking tea to stay alert, however, we recommend brewing it with hot water. Not all types of…

The Ming Dynasty was a significant period of reform in tea drinking history. The founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, recognized the hard work of tea farmers and issued an edict to "abolish compressed tea in favor of loose tea." This decree marked the end of compressed and cake teas, ushering in the era of loose leaf tea in China. Xiuning Songluo Tea was created during this early Ming period. Songluo tea is known as the "ancestor of stir-fried green teas," renowned for its "green color, high fragrance, and strong flavor," which distinguishes it from other green teas. There are records stating that "in Anhui, there is Songluo tea, whose taste surpasses Longjing but falls below Tianchi" (Yuan Hongdao, Ming Dynasty). During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Songluo Mountain was a Buddhist holy site. As early as the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, the Yinfu Temple on Songluo Mountain had already become famous throughout southern China, with abundant offerings and worship. Songluo tea originates from this mountain. According to "Tea Record" by Feng Shike of the Ming Dynasty, Songluo Dafang was first created by the monk Dafang. 1. Harvesting and Processing of Songluo Tea The harvesting and…

Have you noticed that there are many tea stems in quite a few dark teas? Why is this so? Let’s take a look at the answer...... Reasons: 1. Picking Standards The picking standards for Hunan dark tea require more mature fresh leaves, so it is quite normal to find tea stems in compressed tea such as cakes, tuos, and bricks. 2. Taste Requirements As the nutrient-conducting organ of fresh leaves, tea stems contain higher levels of sugar, which gives dark tea its unique sweet taste. 3. Compression Requirements A certain amount of tea stems can increase the air gaps within compressed Fu brick tea, ensuring adequate oxygen supply, which is beneficial for the formation of quality. Additionally, a certain stem content helps with the drainage of moisture from the brick and increases its structural strength and integrity. 4. Favorable for the Growth and Reproduction of Golden Flowers The golden flowers (Eurotium cristatum) in Fu brick tea are aerobic fungi. When the stem content in Fu brick tea is too low, it can affect ventilation due to the tight compression, which is not conducive to the growth and reproduction of the golden flowers. Moreover, the national standards for the stem content…

Nowadays, more and more people enjoy drinking tea, and they are very particular about their choice of tea. However, some aroma-enhanced teas still appear on the market, which can be hard to guard against. Some deceptive methods can even fool experienced tea drinkers. One such method is adding aromas to tea. Aroma-enhanced teas are generally priced lower; often, they are old or inferior teas that have been refreshed with added aromas and colorants, or teas of poor quality that require aromas to enhance their fragrance. Truly good tea would never be tainted by artificial aromas that could ruin its natural aroma and taste. Here are some methods to determine if tea contains added aromas. What is Aroma-Enhanced Tea? Aroma-enhanced teas are generally priced lower and are typically old or inferior teas that have been refreshed with added aromas and colorants, or teas of poor quality that have been enhanced with aromas. How to Identify If Tea Contains Added Aromas? If you have purchased tea and want to determine whether it has added aromas, there are methods you can use. XinXin Tea Art will illustrate this using Tieguanyin as an example. Firstly, due to the special processing technique of Tieguanyin, the…

The storage lifespan of Pu'er tea is not a fixed number; it depends on various factors such as the type of tea (raw or ripe), processing, storage conditions, and drinking preferences. Generally, under proper storage conditions and with high-quality raw materials, Pu'er tea can be stored for 15 to 20 years or even longer. However, to enjoy the best flavor of Pu'er tea, it is recommended to consume it within around 10 years. The shelf life of Pu'er tea is 10 to 20 years Pu'er tea can be stored for 10 to 20 years. Generally speaking, Pu'er tea does not have a specific expiration date. Pu'er tea is divided into raw Pu'er and ripe Pu'er. The shelf life of raw Pu'er is around 5 to 10 years, while that of ripe Pu'er is about 10 to 20 years. Pu'er tea is a type of tea that benefits from long-term storage, where the longer it is stored, the better its taste becomes. Although Pu'er tea has a long shelf life, it cannot be stored indefinitely. Generally, Pu'er tea tastes best when consumed around 10 to 15 years after storage, with a pure taste and lasting aroma. The storage environment requirements for…

Pu'er tea stands out from other types of tea because it can improve with age, becoming more fragrant and flavorful over time. Within a reasonable storage period and under proper conditions, the taste of Pu'er tea becomes richer and more complex as it ages. Pu'er tea comes in two varieties: sheng (raw) and shou (ripe). Each has its unique flavor profile; some prefer the pure sweetness of sheng, while others enjoy the mellow richness of shou. Without considering the differences in taste, which type is better for long-term storage—sheng or shou? Let's delve into this question for tea enthusiasts. 1. Under Identical Storage Conditions for Long-term Storage Sheng Pu'er Has Greater Potential for Transformation The answer is clear: in terms of long-term storage, sheng Pu'er has greater potential for transformation, and here's why: The main difference between sheng and shou Pu'er lies in their production processes. Compared to sheng, shou Pu'er undergoes an additional step known as "wet-piling" fermentation. During wet-piling fermentation, the raw Pu'er tea undergoes enzymatic reactions, microbial fermentation, and the effects of heat and moisture. These processes cause the tea's internal compounds to change rapidly within a short period, resulting in significant transformations of the tea's internal…

Both young and middle-aged people gradually develop the habit of drinking tea, so everyone is familiar with it. Tea, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea itself are essential, highlighting its importance. Among the six major types of tea, Pu'er tea is very popular, with many enthusiasts collecting it in large quantities. How Should Pu'er Tea Be Stored? Pu'er tea is very popular among both new and seasoned tea drinkers. How to store Pu'er tea properly is a common concern. If stored incorrectly, the tea can become moldy and essentially useless. Tea has a spirit, and storage is the second life of Pu'er tea. The same cake of tea stored in different places or by different people will have varying flavors after some time. In this sense, each collector of Pu'er tea becomes a creator of its production and quality. With proper care and nurturing, it will reward you with its vitality and alluring fragrance. First, store it in a sealed container in a clean, dark, and humidity-controlled environment. Second, compressed teas are preferred, the tighter the better. Loose tea has a larger surface area exposed to air, making it prone to oxidation and unsuitable for long-term storage. Tighter…

  When I was a student, I often had the experience that whenever I decided to study seriously, I would first need to tidy up my desk and prepare all the necessary supplies. I firmly believed in the saying, "If one is to be good at his work, he must first sharpen his tools." Learning about tea is no different; if you are truly committed to learning about tea, some basic tools are essential. | Water Quality Test Kit To make good tea, you first need good water. Only a few people can distinguish good water with their naked eye, so we need to use tools. There are many dimensions for assessing water quality, and testing tools include test papers, test pens, and test kit reagents of various types. However, if we are only talking about drinking tea, pH testing and water hardness testing are sufficient. pH Test Paper Generally, the pH value requirement for water used in tea is weakly alkaline. The national standard range for drinking water pH is between 6.5 and 8.0. You just need to place the test paper in the water, then compare it to the color chart to make an easy judgment. Water Hardness…

Pu'er tea is an agricultural product, and theoretically, all agricultural products have an expiration date. After the expiration date, the internal components of the tea are oxidized, losing their taste and aroma. There isn't a definitive time limit for the specific expiration date of Pu'er tea. Does Pu'er Raw Tea Have an Expiration Date? Pu'er raw tea: The expiration date and optimal tasting period are generally 10 to 20 years. Pu'er raw tea has rich internal qualities, so it transforms during storage and can be preserved for a long time. Pu'er ripe tea: The expiration date is typically 8 to 15 years. Ripe tea has more stable properties compared to raw tea and can still be stored for a long time, albeit for a shorter duration. For personal or household storage of Pu'er tea, basic requirements include "avoiding light," keeping in a cool place, ensuring there is no odor or pollution, proper ventilation, and avoiding excessive humidity. If possible, individuals or households should have a dedicated "tea storage room" or "tea cabinet." Avoiding light includes not only direct sunlight but also artificial lighting. Pu'er tea should be stored under "natural light." The tea should not be directly exposed to sunlight…

Kaihua Longding Tea is produced in Baisan, Qixi Township, Kaihua County, Zhejiang Province. It is a newly created tea brand that started in 1959. Kaihua County is located at the junction of Zhejiang, Anhui, and Jiangxi provinces in western Zhejiang, at the source of the Qiantang River. The mountains in the county run from northwest to southeast, and it has a warm and humid subtropical monsoon climate with distinct seasons, abundant rainfall, frequent cloud cover, and less sunlight. On average, there are 83 foggy days per year, with some areas having over 120 foggy days annually. The area is perpetually shrouded in clouds and mist, making it one of the cloudiest mountainous regions in Zhejiang province. As the saying goes, "High mountains and cloudy mists produce fine tea," and indeed, Kaihua County is an excellent place for growing green tea. The main types of soil in tea gardens within Kaihua County are red soil and yellow soil. Red soils are mostly found below 650 meters altitude in low hills, with a soil layer thickness of 30 cm to 60 cm, organic matter content of 1.44% to 4.05%, and pH ranging from 4.5 to 5.5. Yellow soils are mainly distributed in…

Summer is a good time to expel the cold and dampness from your body. As temperatures rise, so does the humidity in the air. For those with high levels of dampness, this can be even more harmful. Do you know how to get rid of dampness? Here are some recommended teas for summer to help. Tea is not medicine, but it's a great health drink. Although tea is not medicine, different people with different constitutions should make different choices. For those with high levels of dampness, there should also be different considerations when choosing tea... What are the harms of having high levels of dampness? 1. When dampness meets cold, it becomes cold-dampness; when it meets heat, it becomes damp-heat; when it meets wind, it becomes wind-dampness. Under the skin, it causes obesity; 2. If dampness remains in the body and isn't eliminated, one may experience loose stools and unformed feces. The tongue may appear yellowish and greasy; 3. Those with high levels of dampness feel lethargic throughout the day, affecting digestive functions. They may feel heavy-headed, with limbs and waist feeling weighed down by something, making them reluctant to move; 4. Those with high levels of dampness tend to…

Ancient tree tea is expensive not only because of its considerable age and deep roots but also due to its unpolluted, natural environment which gathers the essence of heaven and earth, thus nurturing the unique aroma and taste of ancient tree tea. Why is Ancient Tree Pu'er Tea so Expensive? ① High Cost of Manual Harvesting The ancient tea trees in Yunnan are tall with many branches. Fresh leaves grow on the tips and ends of branches, making manual harvesting time-consuming and labor-intensive. It takes a long time to harvest one large ancient tea tree, and there is some risk involved, so the wages for tea pickers are relatively high. Moreover, most tea farmers allow their ancient tea trees enough time to rest by only harvesting them during the spring and autumn seasons, resulting in a limited quantity of tea, which naturally drives up the price due to scarcity. ② Traditional Handcrafted Processing Techniques Good tea processing techniques are crucial for producing high-quality ancient tree Pu'er tea, and only by carefully controlling each step can excellent tea be made. For example, temperature control during the initial steaming process, the force used in kneading, and the pressure applied when forming cakes...…

Tea leaves are a treasure; you wouldn’t know if you don’t drink them. The benefits and health preservation effects of tea leaves are summarized comprehensively for everyone today. Tea can reduce the risk and mortality rate of cardiovascular diseases. A recent study reported that Japanese researchers have been tracking over 40,000 individuals aged between 40 to 79 years old since 1994. Compared to those who drink less than one cup of tea a day, men who drink more than five cups of green tea daily have an average risk of death from cerebral vascular disease reduced by 22%, while women see a decrease of 31%. The reduction is most notable in cases of cerebral infarction, with a drop of 42% for men and a significant 62% for women. According to the UK’s Daily Mail, a new study found that drinking three cups of tea a day can lower the risk of myocardial infarction by 70%. Studies from Finland and France also show that drinking two to three cups of tea a day can reduce the risk of stroke. Tea can lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Researchers at Hong Kong University discovered that drinking tea can reduce total blood cholesterol levels…

A good Pu'er tea cake is uniform and well-formed, with a round shape, natural indentation, neat edges without any missing corners, and consistent thickness. High-quality Yunnan Pu'er dry tea emits a pronounced aged aroma that is high and long-lasting. After brewing, the tea soup lacks any warehouse smell, appears bright and transparent, red and rich, and free of any off-flavors, odd tastes, or wateriness. It has a rich, smooth, and soothing taste with a lingering sweetness and salivation at the base of the tongue. The Characteristics of Good Pu'er Tea: 1. Good Pu'er tea has a throat fragrance. As the tea soup flows down the esophagus, a warm and concentrated aroma rises from the throat. This can be an aged aroma, lotus scent, camphor aroma, jujube fragrance, etc. 2. Good Pu'er tea has a lip and mouth fragrance, imparting an immediate sense of aromatic richness upon first sip. 3. Good Pu'er tea leaves a sweet aftertaste on the tongue and cheeks after drinking. 4. Good Pu'er tea has a nasal aroma, where a pleasant aged aroma can be smelled when bringing the hot tea close to the nose. 5. Good Pu'er tea has body and thickness, feeling more like a…

As a beginner who loves Pu'er tea, how can you brew Pu'er tea in a way that appears professional and tastes great? Here, we discuss the three key elements of brewing Pu'er tea and the brewing process.   The three key elements of brewing Pu'er tea are: amount of tea used, brewing time, and water temperature. Teaware: You can use a purple clay teapot or a gaiwan to brew Pu'er tea. For purple clay teapots, choose one with thick walls, coarse sand, and a smooth pour. For gaiwans, you can use ceramic or glass. Amount of tea: Generally, for compressed teas, use about 10 grams, adjusting according to your personal taste preferences. For loose-leaf Pu'er, the situation is more complex. Use less for tightly twisted leaves and more for large, robust leaves. The amount of tea used should be determined by the quality and character of the tea leaves. Water for brewing: Use mineral water or spring water, heated to around 95°C. Allow the boiling water to cool slightly before using it to ensure the tea has vitality. Brewing Process: 1. Placing the tea: If using compressed tea, break off a piece according to your taste preference. 2. Pre-infusion: After…

Bohetang is located in the Yiwu Mansa tea region, hidden deep within the mountains at an altitude of around 1,400 to 1,620 meters, with coordinates at 101°32' East and 22°5' North. It is a small mountain hollow nestled deep within the primeval forest. The vegetation here is very well preserved. This mysterious tea garden was discovered when planting "herbal spices" in the depths of the forest. It was named Bohetang because of a naturally occurring patch of mint leaves found there. What types of tea trees are there in Bohetang? The tea area is not large, with very old trees that vary in height, scattered here and there, most of which are 5 to 8-meter-old trees. Bohetang is divided into two tea plots: Upper Tea Plot and Lower Tea Plot. All the famous ancient tea trees are in the Lower Tea Plot, while the Upper Tea Plot was planted by local farmers after 1982. Bohetang Categories One, Two, and Three Category One: Primarily refers to the tall ancient trees in Bohetang, with about 50 trees marked, one has died, leaving 49 remaining. Category Two: Estimated to be over a hundred years old, some have been pruned. Category Three: These are…