For beginners in tea drinking, the aroma of tea can be captivating. "How fragrant..." is indeed a common exclamation, highlighting tea's charm in captivating with its scent.

However, the allure of tea should not be limited to its fragrance alone, as tea aromas have different layers. True tea fragrance is natural, subtle, and lingering—a modest, intrinsic aroma. Some unnatural or overly strong scents may mask poor quality, serving as mere 'floating fragrance,' which should be approached with caution.

Different teas exhibit distinct aromas. Today, let's delve into the various levels of tea fragrance, discovering their intricacies and pleasures through careful tasting.

Tea fragrance is generally categorized into five levels: floating fragrance, fragrance entering water, water containing fragrance, water producing fragrance, and water as fragrance.

For beginners, experiencing these different levels requires repeated comparisons and focused attention.

First Level: Floating Fragrance

The most basic tea fragrance is floating fragrance—superficial and fleeting. It is noticeable in the air and on the cup lid but diminishes significantly upon drinking, often leaving little to no aroma in the mouth.

Second Level: Fragrance Entering Water

In ordinary tea, the fragrance mostly disperses, with only a small part infusing into the tea. The experience is: it smells fragrant and tastes somewhat fragrant, but not as strongly as the aroma suggests.

Third Level: Water Containing Fragrance

High-quality tea fragrance is mostly infused into the tea, sinking deep. Some of it lingers in the mouth, while some emanates from the throat. To experience this, hold your breath while sipping, then exhale slowly through the nose after swallowing, noting the origin of the aroma.

Fourth Level: Water Producing Fragrance

Exceptional tea fragrance blends seamlessly with the tea. It may not smell strong but leaves a lasting, slow-releasing aroma from the throat. Such teas often have a smooth, rich texture.

Fifth Level: Water as Fragrance

The pinnacle of tea fragrance is when the aroma and tea are indistinguishable. This requires premium tea leaves and meticulous processing. The rich, integrated fragrance flows with the tea, creating a sensation where "the tea is the fragrance, and the fragrance is the tea."

The orchid fragrance of Anxi Tieguanyin is the true aroma. Its most enchanting feature is this high, orchid-like scent—a unique and memorable characteristic. However, not all Anxi Tieguanyin teas possess this fragrance; only a few well-crafted batches achieve such a distinct and natural aroma, leaving a lasting impression like a first love—subtle, lingering, and deeply intrinsic.