Drinking Tea is not only a process of savoring the taste of the tea but also an evaluation of its color. Raw Pu'er tea typically has a clear and transparent color, giving drinkers a sense of purity.

However, some raw Pu'er teas can have a turbid appearance, which may give the impression of being unclean. Is turbid tea really unclean? Let's first explore the reasons for the turbidity in raw Pu'er tea before making any conclusions.

Intrinsic Causes of Turbidity in Raw Pu'er Tea

01 “Fuzziness”

This occurs when there are many fine hairs (fuzz) on the tea buds, which become detached during brewing and dissolve into the water, creating a visual effect of “turbidity.” This is a normal phenomenon that does not affect the taste or quality of the tea.

02 Inadequate Withering

The raw material for raw Pu'er tea is Yunnan large-leaf sun-dried Green Tea. During the production of this green tea, if the withering process is not properly controlled and the temperature becomes too high, it can cause some parts of the leaves, especially the tender ones, to scorch. These scorched spots can be ground up during the rolling process, some of which may remain within the tea strands and cannot be removed later. When brewed, these particles will dissolve into the tea, causing it to appear turbid.

03 The Tea Is Freshly Produced

Turbidity can also occur in freshly produced raw Pu'er tea cakes. When newly pressed, the tea still contains residual moisture from the pressing process, and its internal substances have not yet undergone sufficient transformation. Brewing such tea can result in turbidity.

04 Cooling of the Tea

Sometimes, while Drinking Tea with friends, we get so engrossed in conversation that we forget about our cups. By the time we remember, the tea has cooled down and appears turbid, lacking the clarity it had when hot. This happens because polyphenols in the tea oxidize upon contact with air and turn brown in alkaline conditions, causing the tea to appear turbid.

05 Presence of Impurities in the Tea

Impurities that haven't been fully removed can also cause turbidity in raw Pu'er tea. During the production process, especially during the rolling stage of sun-dried green tea, impurities attached to the leaves might be rolled into the strands and remain even after subsequent cleaning processes. When brewed, these impurities dissolve in the water, causing the tea to appear turbid. Additionally, excessive force during rolling can break delicate leaves, creating fragments that dissolve in the water during brewing, contributing to the turbidity.

Extrinsic Causes of Turbidity in Raw Pu'er Tea

01 Improper Storage Leading to Moisture Absorption

Under high temperature and humidity, moisture can penetrate the tea, affecting its solubility in water and leading to turbidity when brewed.

02 Incorrect Tea Separation

Breaking the tea cake too finely can release more fragments that dissolve in the tea, causing it to appear turbid.

03 Incorrect Brewing Technique

During brewing, various pouring methods can be used, such as high pouring with rotation, high pouring at a fixed point, low pouring with rotation, or low pouring at a fixed point. If water is poured directly onto the leaves and too coarsely, it can cause the leaves to tumble, disrupting the normal release of their contents. This can lead to a rapid release of tea fuzz or coloring polyphenols, making the tea appear turbid.

The causes of turbidity in raw Pu'er tea are diverse. While the presence of impurities is one reason, it is not always an indication that the tea is unclean. So, next time you encounter turbid tea, don't jump to conclusions about its cleanliness – it might just be a case of one of the factors mentioned above.

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