Many tea enthusiasts wonder whether blended or single-origin Pu'er tea is superior. In most people's subconscious, purity is often equated with quality.
What are blended and single-origin teas?
Popular terms in the Pu'er tea industry include micro-regions, famous mountains, and ancient single-origin teas... Among these, "ancient single-origin" is both a beautiful and risky term.
Strictly speaking, single-origin tea refers to tea leaves harvested from the same tree at the same time and of the same grade. However, by this standard, the yield from one tree would hardly make a few cakes of tea. Given that vast quantities of ancient single-origin teas are sold year after year, the term "single-origin" is somewhat misleading.
Blended tea, on the other hand, combines tea leaves from different regions of the same quality or from the same region but of different grades, processed according to a specific formula. Blending experts tailor the tea's color, aroma, taste, and appearance to create unique profiles.
Comparison of advantages and disadvantages, and common blending techniques
Single-origin tea
Advantages
△ Easy to identify
△ Less likely to develop off-flavors
△ Uniform leaf color and neat appearance
△ Predictable and controllable aging process
Disadvantages
△ Monotonous aroma and taste, lacking complexity
△ Shorter infusion cycles compared to high-quality blended teas
△ Limited quantity
Blended tea
Advantages
○ High production yield
○ Rich, layered flavors
○ Enhanced aroma and taste through blending
○ Unique characteristics distinct from single-origin teas, offering novelty
Disadvantages
○ Requires skill; poor blending may result in off-flavors
○ Inconsistent leaf color
○ May produce thin liquor when brewed
Common blending techniques
☆ Seasonal blending (spring, summer, autumn)
☆ Tea variety blending (plantation vs. ancient trees)
☆ Grade blending (for cost reduction and aesthetic appeal)
☆ Year blending (to stabilize quality and enhance taste)
☆ Fermentation degree blending (to improve mouthfeel)
☆ Mountain blending (to capture regional terroir)
Blended tea has its charm; single-origin tea has its essence
Each mountain yields a unique flavor, evoking distinct emotions and nuances. Personal preferences vary, leading to the pursuit of "perfect" blended teas—a subjective ideal shaped by individual tastes and sentiments.
Blending aims to refine personal emotions and flavors, while single-origin teas—whether from a specific region, mountain, or even a single ancient tree—celebrate purity. Neither is inherently superior; the choice depends on taste preferences, budget, and needs. The joy lies in finding a tea that delights you, making every sip a pleasure!