Kuding Tea is a type of tea drink that is highly regarded for its bitterness. It has heat-clearing properties and serves as a good health tea during summer. However, the effects of kuding tea are quite strong, and some people may not be suitable to consume it: Patients with chronic gastrointestinal inflammation often have varying degrees of spleen and stomach deficiency. Once their abdomen is exposed to cold or they consume cold-natured foods, they can experience discomfort such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Kuding tea can exacerbate these symptoms. Additionally, the digestive functions of the elderly are relatively weaker, and infants' digestive systems are not yet fully developed; thus, they should not drink kuding tea, as it could easily cause side effects such as indigestion, cold pain in the upper abdomen, and loose stools.

Kuding tea has heat-clearing, detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic properties, making it a popular summer beverage for many people. However, due to a lack of relevant knowledge, many consumers are deceived when purchasing kuding tea and may even experience adverse reactions after consumption. To address this issue, reporters interviewed experts on how to select kuding tea. According to them, selecting kuding tea can follow the process of “observe, Brew, and taste” for detailed identification.

Observe: Easy Identification Through Appearance
When purchasing kuding tea, one should first carefully observe its appearance. Kuding tea leaves are thicker and mostly oval-shaped, slightly larger than those of other teas. If made from young buds and leaves, the tea will have a robust, curled shape and generally no downy hair. Genuine kuding tea has a good luster and is mostly dark green in color.

After observing these characteristics, consumers can also test the texture of the tea. Grab a handful of tea leaves; if there are no granules, powders, or other debris, and if the midsection of the leaves is abundant and evenly cut, it indicates high-quality tea. If there is noticeable dust or foreign matter when handling the tea, it may contain impurities, and such tea should not be purchased.

Brew: Tasteful Even After 10 Infusions
According to experts, a notable feature of kuding tea is its ability to withstand multiple infusions. Therefore, observing its durability during brewing becomes a critical criterion for evaluating the quality of the tea. When purchasing, consumers can try brewing an appropriate amount of tea. For example, using 1 gram of tea for 150 milliliters of boiling water, most ordinary teas can only be brewed 2-3 times before subsequent infusions result in a bland taste. In contrast, kuding tea can be brewed around 8-10 times while maintaining its rich flavor.

Another characteristic of kuding tea during brewing is the gradual release of its taste. During the brewing process of regular teas, adding more leaves can make the taste excessively bitter and unbearable. However, even when doubling or quadrupling the amount of kuding tea, the taste remains refreshing and mellow, just slightly stronger. This is because the taste of kuding tea releases slowly, and consumers can perform these tests when purchasing. Just like in tea franchise arrangements, there is no best; only the most suitable.

Taste: Bitter First, Then Sweet Without Off-Flavors
The final step is to taste the tea. The taste of kuding tea is initially bitter, followed by a slight sweetness, without any other off-flavors such as astringency, spiciness, or sourness. Teas made from older leaves also have a bitter-to-sweet taste profile without any prominent astringent taste. Consumers should note that the initial bitterness released by kuding tea should be acceptable to the palate, and the subsequent sweetness is merely a pleasant, mellow flavor, not sugary. If the aftertaste is overly sweet or has a sugary taste, it may indicate the addition of licorice or Sugar, and such products should not be purchased.

During this process, consumers can still judge the quality of the tea by observing the color of the tea infusion and the condition of the infused leaves. Genuine kuding tea produces a slightly yellow-green, clear infusion without any cloudiness or suspended particles. After brewing, the infused leaves appear dark green, soft, and spread out, lacking downy hair. They are thick and large, with robust stems and minimal broken leaves. If the tea meets these criteria, it can be judged as authentic kuding tea. If not, consumers should proceed with caution when making a purchase.