When buying Pu'er tea, it's essential to try it first, as you're purchasing something to enjoy drinking. As the saying goes, “what suits your taste is precious.” Drinking it with pleasure makes you feel that your money is well spent.
How to Choose Pu'er Tea Leaves?
1. Understand the Origin
Pu'er tea refers to the large-leaf variety grown in Yunnan Province and processed into two categories: raw Pu'er, which is directly processed after sun-Drying, and ripe Pu'er, which undergoes artificial Fermentation. It comes in loose or compressed forms and continues to naturally age, developing a unique quality of improving over time. Yunnan is the original birthplace of Pu'er tea, with central areas including Simao, Xishuangbanna, parts of Lincang, and Dali.
2. Distinguish Between New and Aged Pu'er Tea
New Pu'er tea, freshly made, appears green with white downy hairs and has a strong flavor. Aged Pu'er tea, having undergone extended post-fermentation, turns a date-like red color, with white down turning to brownish yellow.
3. Smell the Tea's Aroma
Pu'er tea improves with age, but there's a significant difference between aged aroma and moldy smell. Poorly stored Pu'er can develop a moldy odor, and some merchants might add flowers like chrysanthemums to mask this. If you find Pu'er tea mixed with chrysanthemums or detect non-tea Flower scents, it indicates an impure product.
4. Determine the Color of the Infused Tea
Try brewing Pu'er tea and observe the color of the Infusion. Aged Pu'er tea, due to its prolonged post-fermentation, has a deeper hue, though not pitch black. New Pu'er tea typically has a lighter color. While this can serve as a reference, newer teas can also have dark infusions, so tasting is the best method.
5. Taste Test
Tasting is a reliable way to evaluate tea. A good cup of Pu'er should not be moldy or bitter. Fresh Pu'er may have a slight bitterness due to the presence of white down, while aged Pu'er, with its white down turned golden, becomes milder and sweeter. Tasting is the ultimate test.
When selecting tea, avoid the temptation of cheap deals. Quality comes at a price. Consider the market value of the Pu'er tea you intend to purchase. For example, if you come across “Bingdao” or “Laobanzhang” for just over ten dollars with free shipping, think twice. In today's Pu'er tea market, 2018 Laomanehao Ancient Tree Spring Tea sells for 2500-3500 RMB per kilogram, and 2018 Yiwu Guafengzhai Ancient Tree Spring Tea is priced at 2600-3200 RMB per kilogram.
So, understanding the market value of a product is crucial. Adhering to the laws of value and entering the correct range of product values gives you a better chance of selecting high-quality, authentic Pu'er tea.