The charm of raw Pu'er Tea lies in the fact that with the passage of time, its changes become even more remarkable. Each Infusion offers a myriad of flavors, leaving a lasting aftertaste. Villages and regions each have their unique flavors, always bringing delightful surprises. Tasting Pu'er tea is an art; experienced tea connoisseurs can identify the origin, age, and storage duration of the tea from just one sip. For beginners, however, faced with the bewildering variety of Pu'er teas, they often feel lost and end up following trends blindly.
Tasting Pu'er Tea
1. First, observe the color of the tea leaves.
Dry tea should appear naturally lustrous, while the infused liquor should be clear and bright. After brewing, pay attention to the depth and brightness of the tea liquor. High-quality teas produce a rich and bright red liquor that forms a layer of tea mist on its surface, indicating a richer taste and higher content of fat-soluble substances. Poor-quality teas will yield a liquor that is red but not rich, lacking brightness and resembling Soy sauce in color.
2. Next, smell the aroma.
Pu'er tea has dozens of different aromas, which are a significant determinant of its quality. Both cold and hot sniffing methods are used, where hot sniffing helps assess the purity and strength of the aroma, while cold sniffing evaluates its longevity, providing a more intuitive experience for tea appreciation.
3. Finally, taste the tea.
Tasting is the most direct way to evaluate the quality of tea. Focus on the smoothness of the liquor, the aftertaste and salivation, and the throat sensation. High-quality Pu'er tea has a rich and smooth taste, good aftertaste and salivation, and a soothing effect on the throat. These qualities are immediately noticeable, indicating a fine tea. The aroma and mouthfeel can also induce a sense of well-being.
Tasting Methods for Pu'er Tea
This is the normal tasting procedure. In professional tastings, in addition to considering color, aroma, and flavor, the following aspects should also be taken into account:
1. Tea Material
First, the tea must be of good quality, which is a prerequisite for a high-quality tea and an essential factor to consider. Look at whether the tea leaves are clearly defined and evenly distributed. High-quality teas have clearly defined leaves and moderate tightness.
2. Appearance
A high-quality tea has complete and distinct tea leaves with a clear network. The dry tea is brown or reddish-brown, lustrous, and aesthetically pleasing in appearance.
3. Leaf Base
Observe the color and quality of the leaf base, checking if the infused leaves are intact (which may also depend on how the tea was broken apart) and whether they maintain softness after brewing. High-quality leaf bases are uniform and bright, with few impurities, intact leaves, and soft, non-corrupted, and non-hardened leaf material.
4. Nuance
Nuance is an intangible characteristic that enhances a tea's appeal. It represents the overall harmony of the tea's flavors. Many enthusiasts are drawn to the nuances of tea, finding them endlessly fascinating.
There are many ways to taste Pu'er tea, but regardless of the method, they all lead to the same goal.