Pu'er Tea has a long history in Chinese culture, being a type of tea that stands the test of time or gains value with age. People believe in its excellence because it is considered “the most natural and ecological healthy Drink of contemporary times,” as well as “an antique tea that can be consumed.”
A typical Cake of tea weighs 357 grams, so why are there cakes priced at over ten thousand that still find buyers! At this price, it's quite expensive. Many people ask, what justifies such high prices for Pu'er tea? When choosing Pu'er tea, should one opt for the right tea or the expensive one?
Two common mistakes made by beginners when buying tea
Mistake 1: Buying only the expensive, not the suitable
The first extreme when buying tea is to purchase based solely on a high price, regardless of personal taste preferences. Buying Pu'er tea with the mindset of choosing only the expensive without considering your own palate is not ideal. While a 9.9 yuan per kilogram Laobanzhang is certainly fake, even teas bought at a high price may have a production cost of just dozens of yuan. Therefore, when purchasing and consuming tea, there's no need to set an excessively high price threshold. Within your budget, choose a tea that suits you, where the price matches the quality, ensuring value for money. Remember, everyone's taste is different, and what matters most is that you enjoy it and find it pleasant to drink.
Mistake 2: Seeking only low prices, hoping for bargains
The second extreme is to always pursue the lowest prices, hoping to find gems among cheap teas. Some people buy into the bargain mentality, believing they can acquire high-quality tea at a low price. It's surprising how well 9.9 yuan per kilogram teas sell in today's market. Although these teas are indeed cheap, they often end up in the trash. Tea is something you consume, and blindly buying low-quality tea can harm your health. High quality at a low price – who would do business at a loss? These products of unknown origin, lacking any certification, are likely to be of questionable quality.
How to select high-quality Pu'er tea
1. Understand the types of Pu'er tea
Pu'er tea comes in two varieties: raw and ripe. Raw Pu'er (also known as green or eco-tea) needs to be stored for some time to naturally ferment, while ripe Pu'er (also called cooked tea or ripe tea cake) is ready for consumption after processing. When purchasing, choose the type that best suits your taste and needs.
2. Choose reputable tea shops
To buy high-quality Pu'er tea, select reputable tea shops. These shops typically provide official inspection reports and quality guarantees, ensuring that the Pu'er tea you purchase is truly of high quality. Additionally, opting for well-regarded tea brands is also a good choice.
3. Pay attention to the appearance and aroma of Pu'er tea
When purchasing Pu'er tea, pay attention to its appearance and aroma. The tea should be tightly packed and uniformly shaped, with a consistent color and no loose fragments. If the appearance is poor, it may indicate lower quality. Additionally, Pu'er tea should have a distinctive, woody aroma; if the aroma is weak, the quality may be subpar.
4. Choose Pu'er tea that suits your taste
Tastes vary from person to person, so selecting Pu'er tea that suits your preferences is important. If you prefer a rich flavor, choose older Pu'er teas like aged Pu'er. If you prefer a lighter taste, opt for fresher Pu'er teas.
5. Try before you buy
Before purchasing Pu'er tea, try it out. Some tea shops offer tasting services, allowing you to sample different types of Pu'er tea to find one that suits your palate. If you don't have the opportunity to visit a tea shop in person, you can also buy small packets online for tasting.