For beginners in tea drinking, the fragrance of tea is often captivating. "How fragrant..." is indeed a common praise for tea, showcasing its charm in winning people over with its aroma. However, tea's allure should not stop at its "fragrance," as its scent has multiple layers.

True tea fragrance is natural, subtle, and lingers on the palate—it is understated and intrinsic. Some unnatural aromas might mask inferior quality and should be approached with caution. Different teas offer distinct fragrances, and exploring these layers reveals their intricacies and delights.

First Layer: Floating Aroma

Floating aroma is the most basic level of tea fragrance—light and airy, noticeable but not palpable in the mouth.

For example, when brewing tea, you may smell the aroma in the air or on the lid of the cup, but upon drinking, the fragrance is barely detectable or absent.

Second Layer: Aroma in Water

A slightly more advanced level is when the aroma partially infuses into the tea.

Most of the fragrance still floats on the surface, but some blends into the tea. This creates a disparity—it smells fragrant but tastes less so.

Third Layer: Aroma-Infused Water

Here, the fragrance is detectable both during brewing and in the tea itself. The aroma is rich, partly released in the mouth and partly in the throat.

To experience this, hold your breath while sipping, then exhale slowly through the nose after swallowing to trace the fragrance's origin.

Fourth Layer: Water-Generated Aroma

High-quality tea exhibits this level, where the aroma and tea blend seamlessly. The scent is subtle when smelled but lingers persistently in the aftertaste, emerging slowly from the throat.

Fifth Layer: Fragrance as the Tea Itself

The pinnacle of tea fragrance, this level is achieved only with premium tea leaves and craftsmanship. The aroma is rich and fully integrated with the tea, creating a mystical "dissolving" sensation. Drinking it feels like "the tea is the fragrance, and the fragrance is the tea."

Of course, chasing the highest level of tea fragrance is not necessary for everyone. For most tea lovers and artisans, the finest teas are rare treasures. What matters is enjoying tea with an appreciative mindset.