In a market flooded with mixed-quality products, not only is the tea quality uneven, but tea merchants also use their persuasive tactics to lure tea enthusiasts into buying tea, some of which even violate the true standards of tea quality. Tea lovers must keep their eyes open and scrutinize carefully.

No bitterness means no tea

This might already be a familiar saying among tea enthusiasts, but the truth is not so. Generally, tea does have a bitter and astringent taste, but good tea has excellent astringency that quickly transforms the bitterness into a subtle sweetness, known as the 'returning sweetness.' The faster this transformation occurs, the better the tea. If the bitterness lingers in the mouth without turning sweet, the tea's quality is likely poor. Tea lovers should not be fooled by the saying 'no bitterness means no tea.'

There’s no good or bad tea, only what suits you

Originally, this statement made sense, but it only holds true if the tea's quality meets certain standards. Many tea sellers take this phrase out of context, using it as an excuse to sell low-quality tea. Drinking high-quality tea daily will train your palate to recognize the difference between good and bad tea. However, personal preference does matter—but only when the tea's quality is up to par.

The aroma is poor, but the aftertaste is good

This statement is inherently contradictory. The 'tea charm' (or 'yun') is a special sensation or state experienced while drinking tea, while aroma is a fundamental criterion for evaluating tea quality. Without a pleasant aroma, how can there be any 'tea charm'? Moreover, the famous 'Guanyin charm' of Tieguanyin tea is named precisely because of its distinctive aroma!

Tea from farmers is the best

While some farmers do produce excellent tea, the majority have limited tea-making conditions and lack complete processing techniques. The raw tea they produce may not necessarily be of high quality.

I know a certain tea master

This statement sounds more like a boastful sales tactic. Selling tea isn’t about personal connections. Moreover, knowing a master doesn’t guarantee the tea is good—just like how many celebrity-endorsed products turn out to be mediocre. Besides, there are too many 'masters' to keep track of.