This question was one I answered on Zhihu today, and I think it's a great question. To someone with even a little knowledge about Tea, it might seem simple: isn't it just a matter of not getting your tea-to-water ratio right?

I believe that the person who asked this question must be very observant. They must have noticed these details in their everyday experience. In theory, if you control the tea-to-water ratio, it seems like it should be simple. If the ratio remains consistent, the rate at which the flavors are extracted and the taste should also be consistent.

However, those who pay attention to their tea brewing and drinking find that sometimes, even with the same tea-to-water ratio, a slight difference in the amount of tea can result in a noticeable difference in flavor. Why is this so?

This comes down to the accuracy of the sample you take.

For example, in professional settings, after sorting, tea leaves can be layered. Typically, the top layer is looser, the middle layer is tighter, and the bottom layer is broken. Correspondingly, the top layer has a lighter taste, the middle layer is richer, and the bottom layer is more bitter.

Sometimes, due to shaking or movement, the tea may separate into layers within the bag. The amount taken can then be affected by the accuracy of the sample. However, this is a very subtle factor.

Another possibility is that if the tea is blended, the consistency of the blend cannot always be 100% uniform. This could also cause sensory differences.

These are the reasons why during evaluation, there are standard requirements for sampling, such as taking samples from multiple bags and layers, using the quartering method, sorting, and diagonal sampling. All these steps aim to objectively and relatively accurately assess the true quality of the tea. There is scientific reasoning behind them. (However, sometimes striving for fairness can lead to discrepancies with actual experiences, which requires a deeper understanding to discuss further and is beyond the scope of this answer.)

These are all details of daily life. Someone who only knows the theory might simply think that the taste should be identical as long as the tea-to-water ratio is exactly the same, regardless of a small difference in the amount of tea. However, on a microscopic level, there can be differences. Whether these differences can be perceived is hard to conclusively determine.

This year, we launched a new series of Phoenix Dancong teas, which have received excellent reviews. Those interested can contact us to try them out.

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