Although different types of Tea have distinct characteristics,

the standards for good tea vary.

However, we can still identify some common traits in various types of good tea,

summarizing a set of universal criteria for good tea.

01 Bright and Transparent Liquor

This is the most direct way to judge whether a tea is good. Regardless of whether the liquor is red, green, black, white, or yellow, the key is that it must be “bright and transparent.” A bright and clear liquor not only pleases the eye but also indicates:

Good processing techniques, with controlled fermentation and no signs of scorching;

Proper production and storage, resulting in few broken leaves;

Good storage conditions, free from dust and without any mold;

A rich content of substances within the tea, which are well-released.

However, the brewing method must be scientific. If the brewing is improper, such as using too high a water temperature or oversteeping, the liquor may appear murky.

There is another situation to be aware of: teas with many downy hairs, such as Biluochun and Baihao Yinzhen, may shed their down when brewed, which can be mistaken for a murky liquor. One should pay attention to this distinction.

02 Bitterness and Astringency Present But Quickly Disperse

Bitterness and astringency are inherent flavors in tea. As the saying goes: “If it isn't bitter and astringent, it's not tea.” If a tea lacks bitterness and astringency, it may feel bland and monotonous.

When tea is processed appropriately, the bitterness and astringency are not prominent, but they are still present. Since tea naturally has these flavors, the key lies in whether they dissipate quickly.

If the bitterness and astringency linger in the mouth, causing a sensation of roughness and constriction on the tongue, making the experience unpleasant, such a tea cannot be considered good.

03 Free from Odd Flavors and Wateriness

1. Odd flavors refer to external odors, not the inherent flavors of the tea itself.

There are two situations regarding odd flavors:

The first is when there are issues with the processing, leading to poor quality flavors, such as grassy, smoky, or scorched tastes;

The second is when there are problems during storage, leading to the tea becoming spoiled or absorbing external odors, such as stale, moldy, or perfumed smells.

One must be careful when storing tea, as once odd flavors are absorbed, they are almost impossible to remove, ruining even the best of teas.

2. Wateriness refers to the separation of the tea flavor from the water, resulting in a faint fishy taste.

Wateriness often appears when the tea liquor becomes lighter, but good tea will not exhibit this separation. For example, even if the liquor of a good Longjing is as pale as water, it still retains a sweet aftertaste, being light but not fishy.

04 Lively Leaf Base

A good tea's leaf base, regardless of the type, shares the common characteristic of being lively. The leaf base is tender and glossy, smooth to the touch, with a certain thickness and elasticity when squeezed. A lively leaf base indicates:

High-quality raw materials. The leaf base is a reflection of the fresh tea leaves;

Good processing techniques, without over-processing the tea;

Proper brewing, allowing the leaves to fully unfurl without over-Steeping them.

05 Good Tea Brings Joy

Don't think of this as a subjective criterion. Good tea brings joy because its aromatic compounds and other components make one feel happy, broad-minded, and mentally refreshed.

Poor tea, on the other hand, can make one increasingly depressed. If the raw materials are bad, the processing is poor, or the storage is inadequate, one might not be able to determine these issues through analysis, but your body will tell you – it feels dull and uncomfortable to drink.

So, if you're unsure about the above criteria, consider enjoyment the ultimate standard. After all, for those who drink tea, no amount of standards can surpass the importance of taste. Good tea should ultimately be satisfying…

Having learned these points, when we encounter unfamiliar types of tea, we can roughly judge whether they are good!