There are many varieties of Tea in China, and it's unlikely that non-professionals can judge the quality of every type. Typically, people are familiar with just a few kinds they like. Teas from their place of origin tend to be purer, but differences in tea-making techniques result in varying qualities. Therefore, it's essential for ordinary tea drinkers to know some tips for buying tea.
1. When buying loose tea, use two fingers to grind a few tea strips or granules. If they turn into powder, it indicates the tea is dry. If they only break into small pieces, it suggests the tea has absorbed moisture and should not be purchased.
2. Take a pinch of tea and place it in your palm. Blow gently on it to warm the leaves slightly, releasing their aroma. Smell carefully to evaluate if the scent is pure and lasting. Repeat several times to discern the strength and persistence of the aroma. Also, check for any abnormal odors such as smoke, burnt, sour, or other off smells.
3. If the dry tea emits a strong, lingering fragrance, there's a high chance it has been artificially scented. The tea may smell very fragrant but lacks taste when brewed. Good tea has a naturally subtle and pleasant aroma.
4. Rub the tea between your hands. If you notice powdery residue or color on your palms, it likely contains additives.
5. Place a little tea in your mouth and chew it. High-quality tea will crumble easily and dissolve in your mouth. Poor-quality tea takes longer to break down and has more fibers that don't dissolve.
6. Try brewing a sample of the tea you're considering purchasing. This is the easiest way to judge the tea's quality, including its taste, aroma, and the appearance of both the leaves and the tea liquor.
7. How to distinguish between fresh and aged tea: observe, smell, and Brew.
Observe: Fresh tea looks green, while aged tea appears yellow.
Smell: Fresh tea has a grassy scent.
Brew: Initially, there might not be a significant difference between fresh and aged tea, but over time, the color change in aged tea becomes more noticeable compared to fresh tea.
8. Tea isn't always better when it's new. Some teas, like West Lake Longjing, are best when fresh, while others improve with age, like Pu'er, which often requires at least five years to develop its best flavor.
9. When purchasing boxed or sealed tea, pay special attention to the packaging date. Generally, tea within six months is fine, but after one year, it may start to spoil and is best avoided.
10. When buying tea, choose reputable stores and ask for a receipt for consumer protection purposes.
11. Many tea drinkers wonder if expired tea can still be consumed. In general, as long as the tea hasn't molded, it can be drunk, but its flavor and aroma will have diminished, reducing its value as a beverage.
Observing the shape of the tea leaves is a direct way to assess quality, while smelling the aroma and tasting the flavor requires intuition and cannot be easily described in words—it needs a certain level of understanding.