Tea Knowledge

Believe it or not, both West Lake Longjing tea and Dahongpao are historic teas in China. Both are part of the top ten famous teas in China, with exceptional quality and unique flavors. Drinking them offers numerous benefits. But which is better: West Lake Longjing or Dahongpao? What are the differences between them? Let's explore further. Which is better, West Lake Longjing or Dahongpao? 1. West Lake Longjing Longjing tea is produced in the beautiful region of West Lake, Zhejiang Province. It is renowned for its green color, elegant shape, rich aroma, and mellow taste. Its unique qualities of being light yet far-reaching and fragrant yet clear distinguish it from other famous teas, making it the top among the top ten teas. The picking of West Lake Longjing has three characteristics: early picking, tender picking, and frequent picking. The tenderness of the tea leaves is the foundation for high-quality Longjing tea. Frequent picking means leaving larger leaves while picking smaller ones, with about 30 pickings per year. West Lake Longjing tea is traditionally crafted using a variety of techniques such as tossing, shaking, spreading, fanning, pressing, throwing, grabbing, pushing, snapping, and grinding. Different qualities require different handling methods. Due to…

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;…

The differences between black and green tea: Different levels of fermentation, black tea is a fully fermented tea, while green tea is non-fermented; Different appearances, black tea has red leaves and a red infusion, the dry tea is dark and lustrous, tightly bound; green tea has green leaves and a clear infusion, the dry tea is tightly bound, robust, with a verdant color; Different processes, the process for green tea is picking, fixation, rolling, and drying, while the process for black tea is withering, rolling, fermentation, and drying. The first difference between black and green tea: Different appearance of the tea leaves From the appearance of the tea leaves, in general, green tea often displays fine downy hairs, revealing tender buds, with a bright infusion, high fragrance, mellow and refreshing taste, and a greenish tone. Famous varieties include Longjing tea, Biluochun tea, Huangshan Maofeng, Zijia green tea, Lushan Yunwu, Liuan Guapian, etc.; black tea reveals fine downy hairs, has a dark and lustrous color, a bright and red infusion, bright red leaves, a fragrant aroma that is rich and long-lasting. Famous varieties include Qihong, Dianhong, Yinghong, etc. The second difference between black and green tea: Different colors of the tea…

When you think you've bought a great value-for-money spring tea online, be very careful. You should open and immediately try the tea to see if it's really worth the purchase. What are the steps to inspect spring tea? Let me explain them below. 1. Observe the appearance The leaves of spring tea are generally tightly wrapped, appearing plump and substantial, with some having a significant amount of downy hair. They have a fresh and vibrant color and a rich, fresh aroma. Summer and autumn teas, on the other hand, have loose leaves with a dull color and a mild aroma, which is quite different from spring tea. 2. Examine the liquor color During storage, substances that contribute to the color of the tea undergo slow decomposition or oxidation, causing green tea to lose its luster and appear dull. The increase in tea brown pigments in old tea makes the green tea liquor yellowish and unclear, losing its original freshness. When brewing spring tea, the leaves sink quickly, the aroma is strong and lasting, and the taste is full-bodied. In contrast, summer and autumn teas sink more slowly when brewed and have a less pronounced aroma. 3. Taste the aroma During…

A commonly used method to store white tea is the "three-layer packaging method," which involves preparing a cardboard box, an aluminum bag, and a plastic bag. First, take out the white tea and put the tea leaves into the aluminum bag, squeezing out the air and sealing it. Then place an outer layer of plastic bag over it and tie the bag’s opening securely. Take a five-layer corrugated cardboard box, put the tea inside, and seal it with tape. Finally, store the tea in a dry, cool room free from odors, keeping it off the floor and away from walls. White Tea Storage Methods 1. Hot Water Bottle Storage Method Hot water bottles are common tools with good airtightness and stable temperatures, making them ideal for storing white tea. To store white tea using a hot water bottle, simply place the tea leaves into a new hot water bottle and seal it. 2. Refrigerated Storage Method Storing tea in the refrigerator is a common method. Seal the tea in bags or tea cans and store them in the refrigerator, ideally at 5°C. For home storage, first, seal the white tea in a tin foil bag and then place it in…

In traditional Chinese medicine, donkey hide glue is widely used due to its rich health benefits. Recently, many people have started trying donkey hide glue tea, which is both simple and convenient. So, is it feasible to make donkey hide glue tea? Let’s explore this topic in detail together. (Image source: Internet. Please delete if infringing.) What is Donkey Hide Glue? Donkey hide glue, also known as donkey skin gelatin, is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine made by boiling donkey skin. According to traditional Chinese medical theory, donkey hide glue has the effects of nourishing blood, tonifying yin, and moisturizing dryness. It is commonly used to treat anemia, insomnia, dry cough, and other symptoms. The Benefits of Donkey Hide Glue Tea Integrating donkey hide glue into tea not only makes daily consumption convenient but also maximizes its health benefits. Here are some of the main advantages of donkey hide glue tea: 1. Nourishes Blood and Invigorates Qi: Donkey hide glue is believed to promote blood generation and improve anemia. For those who often feel tired or dizzy, donkey hide glue tea is a good choice. 2. Improves Sleep: Donkey hide glue has a calming effect that can help alleviate insomnia…