The quality of aged Pu'er Tea is typically reflected in its appearance and intrinsic properties:

Appearance Identification:
Pu'er loose tea: Generally divided into special grade and grades one through ten. In terms of appearance: Aged Pu'er tea has a brownish-red color (commonly known as liver color), plump, tight buds (due to the use of large-leaf varieties as raw material). The grading of Pu'er loose tea is based on tenderness. The higher the tenderness, the higher the grade. Tenderness can be measured by three points: 1. More buds, visible down, indicate high tenderness. 2. Tighter, heavier rolls (degree of leaf curling) indicate high tenderness. 3. Smooth, lustrous color indicates good tenderness, while dry, dull color indicates poor tenderness.

Aged compressed Pu'er tea: Its shape should be uniform and well-proportioned; corners should be neat without any missing or broken parts; thickness should be consistent with moderate tightness; mold pattern should be clear, and the rolls should be neat and tight; normal colors are dark brown, chestnut brown, or reddish-brown. Moldy spots or mildew on the surface of the tea indicate inferior quality.
Intrinsic Properties Identification:
Infusion color: Bright, deep red, or reddish-brown. A bright, deep red infusion is indicative of high-quality aged Pu'er tea, similar to a glass of red wine; deep red or reddish-brown infusions are also normal. Yellow, orange, or light, or dark and turbid infusions indicate inferior quality.

Aroma: Besides assessing the purity of the aroma, it's important to distinguish between mustiness and aged fragrance. Mustiness is an unpleasant taste of spoilage. Aged fragrance is a composite aroma produced by new substances formed during the post-fermentation process under the influence of microorganisms and enzymes. Some may resemble the aroma of longan, jujube, betel nut, etc. — in short, pleasant aromas. The highest level of aroma that Pu'er tea can achieve is often referred to as the aged character of Pu'er tea. Therefore, aged fragrance and mustiness are different. If there is mustiness, sourness, or other odd odors, it is not normal.

Taste: The taste of Pu'er tea should be mellow, smooth, and sweet. It means not overly stimulating, no bitterness, and a comfortable mouthfeel. “After-sweetness” refers to when the tea soup is rich but not overly stimulating, and after swallowing, there is a noticeable sweet return at the back of the tongue.
In summary, we recommend drinking naturally. Teas that feel smooth and natural to you are generally good teas.