The selection of Puer Tea raw materials, when observing the appearance of the leaves, a uniform consistency in color, size, and length is indicative of good quality. If the lengths vary and shapes differ, it may indicate careless processing or adulteration with inferior tea leaves. Especially if there are impurities in the tea, such as tea fruits (as small as green beans), twigs, sand, stone chips, etc., this suggests that the tea is not clean.
A good Puer tea possesses a refreshing and pleasant aroma, which can be delicate or intense, and smelling it brings a sense of relaxation and tranquility. Tea enthusiasts believe that the fragrance of tea surpasses that of flowers and plants. A good tea's aroma should have rich variations, an elegant and refined character, deep and substantive content, and harmonious layers. If these requirements are met, then regardless of the type of aroma, it has value for appreciation and savoring.
To purchase Puer tea raw materials, one should look, smell, and taste. Look at the color of the tea leaves; good tea has a lustrous sheen. If the processing and storage are improper, the color will inevitably be dull. Smell to ensure the aroma is pure; if there is a musty or damp smell, it indicates the tea is starting to deteriorate. Taste to appreciate; good tea gives a pleasant and enjoyable sensation. It's worth noting that the quality of tea is difficult to assess by instruments but rather depends on human sensory organs, which requires long-term practice and training to master.
How to Choose Puer Tea Correctly?
1. Consider Your Needs
Needs are the most important factor in purchasing. There needs to be a need for there to be a purchase and a market. Selecting Puer tea based on your own needs is an essential part of healthy consumption! Generally, Puer tea has five values: First is health value, as those who love Puer know, this tea has many beneficial effects on the body, such as aiding weight loss, digestion, and relieving greasy feelings. Second is its tasting value, as the flavor of Puer tea is very good, smooth and silky with a heavy mouthfeel, aftertaste, and the ability to bring together people with shared interests. Third is its gift value, as China is a country of Etiquette, and Puer tea makes a very high-quality gift, with a good response and effect. Fourth is its collection value, as the collection value of Puer tea has always been high among teas, especially for raw Puer, where the flavor and value become more apparent over time. Fifth is its cultural value, as Chinese Puer tea culture is profound, having been a royal tea in the Qing Dynasty, carrying unparalleled cultural treasures!
2. Check Production Information
The production information of any item is crucial for ensuring quality, and for Puer tea, whether the production information is complete significantly affects the quality of the tea. This includes production date, raw material grade, manufacturer, origin, etc., which cannot be overlooked. Of course, these serve as reference standards, as there are many counterfeits, so it's important to be able to discern them!
3. Consider the Brand
For tea, considering the brand is an important and effective step in making a choice. Brands with high popularity and positive product feedback generally ensure quality control. Choosing a Puer brand that sources authentic and fully processed tea is very important for selecting Puer tea!
4. Assess Quality
This is the most important yet challenging aspect of the entire selection process. The quality of Puer tea is generally judged by the following points: Firstly, the raw material – generally, the best is one bud with two or three leaves from large-leaf tea trees, with moderate age, not overly tender. Higher lignification levels in the tea leaves indicate higher Sugar content. Secondly, the processing method – good Puer should follow traditional methods to ensure the principle of improving with age. Experienced tea connoisseurs can even detect flaws in the processing during tasting. Thirdly, storage conditions – which require a high standard of environment, as temperature and Humidity greatly affect the quality of the tea. Finally, the taste – good Puer has intact, clear, plump tea leaves, a pure aroma, clear and lustrous tea soup, strong layers, a delicate and full-bodied texture, strong salivation, and a long-lasting aftertaste!
5. Consider Price
The saying goes, “cheap goods aren't good, and good goods aren't cheap.” When choosing Puer tea, the most important thing is not how expensive it is, but whether it offers good value for money. Don't be tempted by low prices for famous village Puer, as this is almost impossible. This point is subjective, as the price of Puer tea can vary widely. It's necessary to reasonably negotiate the price based on the quality of the tea!