Experience the myriad facets of life and carry on the timeless culture. Elevate the spirit through Tea, welcome guests with tea, and practice virtue with tea. The basic steps for tasting Pu'er tea are as follows: lift the cup – smell the aroma; this process primarily evaluates whether the tea soup has any fragrance and assesses its type and degree. Adjust your breathing; the purpose is to give your nose a rest – sip the tea; no need to slurp, take about half a regular small cup. Chew the tea; two or three times should be enough to judge its viscosity, smoothness, and integration.
Tasting Pu'er Tea for Best Flavor
Firstly, choose the right tea leaves for you. There are two main types of Pu'er tea: Sheng Pu'er (raw) and Shou Pu'er (ripe). Raw Pu'er is made from fresh leaves and has a strong floral and grassy aroma. Ripe Pu'er is processed through fermentation and typically has earthy and ripe fruit flavors. Choose according to personal preference.
Secondly, the correct brewing method is crucial. Brew Pu'er tea with hot water at around 90°C. Place an appropriate amount of tea in a Teapot or cup, and the brewing time should vary depending on the type of tea and personal taste. Generally, raw Pu'er requires a shorter brewing time while ripe Pu'er needs longer.
Thirdly, pay attention to the water quality. Pu'er tea is sensitive to water quality, so it's best to use purified water. If your drinking water contains fluoride, iron, or other impurities, it may affect the taste of the tea.
Fourthly, smell the aroma before drinking. Pour the brewed Pu'er tea into a cup and inhale its fragrance with your nose. Authentic Pu'er tea should have a combination of earthy and floral aromas. If you detect a harsh or off-putting smell, the tea quality might be poor.
Lastly, savor slowly. Delicately taste the texture and flavor of the Pu'er tea while observing the color and clarity. Good Pu'er tea should have a clear color and transparency, with a rich and smooth taste.
In summary, drinking Pu'er tea correctly provides the best flavor experience. Selecting suitable tea, paying attention to brewing methods, water quality, smelling the aroma, and savoring the taste can help you enjoy the unique charm of Pu'er tea.
Pu'er Tea Tasting Techniques
1. For brewing Pu'er tea, choose a teapot with a large belly since Pu'er tea has a high concentration. A large-bellied pot helps avoid overly strong tea. Clay or Yixing clay pots are recommended materials.
2. Amount of Pu'er tea for brewing: When brewing Pu'er, use about 20% of the pot's capacity with tea. After breaking apart tea bricks or cakes, expose them to air for about two weeks before brewing for better flavor.
3. Brewing Pu'er tea: It's essential to rinse the tea once with hot water first. This step is especially important for aged Pu'er teas that have been stored for at least ten years and may contain some dust. The first rinse quickly washes away any impurities but does not aim to extract the tea's flavors. Subsequent infusions can be adjusted based on personal preference. Pu'er tea retains its flavor even when cooled, making it enjoyable cold during summer.
4. To appreciate Pu'er tea, you must smell the aroma while it's still hot. Hold the cup to your nose, and you will feel the fragrance like a spring gushing forth, elegant and refreshing, akin to the scent of orchids or chrysanthemums.
5. Tasting Pu'er tea requires focus. Sip it gently, allowing the tea to linger in your mouth. You'll experience the tea penetrating your teeth and gums, producing a sweet aftertaste that returns to your tongue. This full mouthfeel, along with the lingering sweetness, creates a refreshing sensation, and the saliva produced is abundant and long-lasting. This is the best experience of “aftertaste.”
The reasons people love Pu'er tea vary. Some enjoy its rich taste, others drink it for its invigorating effects, and some simply savor it. Whatever your reason, Pu'er tea offers enjoyment. Tasting Pu'er is a ritual that integrates the tea's aroma into oneself, requiring calmness and presence to truly enjoy.