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 considered more premium. What attributes should a Liubao tea within the daily staple tea price range possess to be deemed the best value for money? The editor will delve into this question from four aspects: raw material, liquor color, aroma, and taste.
Appearance — Cleanliness and Neatness Are Most Important
The quality of the raw materials is the foundation that determines the quality of a tea, while the production process is key to fully bringing out the characteristics of these materials. It is akin to using high-quality ingredients and unique cooking methods when preparing a dish, which results in a completely different taste. For a daily staple tea, there is no need to have excessively high requirements for its appearance. Grades three and four are relatively appropriate, as these grades of Liubao tea have a coarse yet solid appearance and are relatively uniform in shape; their color is blackish-brown and somewhat glossy, and they are clean with a slight presence of stems. After brewing, the leaves at the bottom of the cup are brown or blackish-brown, and the Leaf texture is still soft.
Grade One Liubao Tea:
The appearance is tightly rolled, relatively straight, and uniform;
The color is blackish-brown or black, glossy, and clean.
Grade Three Liubao Tea:
The tea leaves are coarse and tightly rolled, relatively uniform;
The color is blackish-brown or black, somewhat glossy, and clean with a slight presence of stems.
Liquor Color — Brightness Is Preferable
The liquor color, also known as Water color, mainly evaluates the fusion of the tea liquor, including its color and brightness. As a “daily staple tea,” a Liubao tea should have a bright red liquor. For Liubao teas priced between 100-200 yuan, a slightly cloudy liquor is normal due to their young age. However, for those priced between 200-500 yuan, the liquor begins to appear clear and bright.
Aroma — Pure and True, with Fragrance Depending on Personal Preference
The aroma provides a delightful sensory experience when enjoying tea. The fragrance of a tea should be comprehensively appreciated based on its type, intensity, and persistence. The fragrances of Liubao tea can generally be divided into three major categories: betel nut aroma, “golden Flower” aroma, and aged aroma.
Taste — Smooth and Pure
Those who consider tea a daily staple are often seasoned tea enthusiasts and lovers of tea. Many experienced tea enthusiasts have certain requirements for the taste of the tea. At the very least, the tea should have a sweet and full-bodied taste, a pure and natural flavor, and a slight aftertaste of Sweetness. For Liubao teas priced between 100-200 yuan, a slight astringency is normal, while those priced between 200-500 yuan are smoother.