Beginners selecting Pu'er Tea should first examine its appearance, then its color, next the color of the tea liquor, and finally smell its aroma. By considering these points comprehensively, one can pick out good quality Pu'er tea effectively. Whether you prefer raw or ripe Pu'er tea, this detailed guide will help you better understand relevant knowledge about Pu'er tea and make recommendations.

How Beginners Should Choose Pu'er Tea

1. Examine the Dry Leaves

Look at the shape, color, and maturity of the dry leaves. The dry tea should have a plump, clean shape with visible downy hair, no impurities, and an oily luster in its color that is consistent throughout.

2. Observe the Liquor Color

The color of the tea liquor varies depending on the age of the Pu'er tea. For example, new raw Pu'er tea should have a greenish-yellow or yellow-green liquor, which may appear milky due to the presence of downy hair. This is normal, barring any issues with processing or brewing that might cause cloudiness. For raw Pu'er teas aged 3-5 years, the liquor should be golden and clear. For older raw teas around 10 years, the liquor should be orange-red or golden and very clear.

3. Smell

This includes smelling both the dry leaves and the aroma of the tea liquor (by sniffing the cup at different temperatures to judge the intensity and longevity of the aroma). Good quality dry leaves should have a pure aroma without any pungent off-flavors. The aroma should be strong and long-lasting, and during tasting, one can experience different levels of aroma, such as water holding the scent, scent blending with the water, and scent arising from the water.

Of course, the aroma of Pu'er tea should not be overly strong (possibly artificially added “tea fragrance”), and naturally occurring tea aromas are not overpoweringly sweet.

4. Taste

Tasting is the main event when selecting tea. High-quality Pu'er tea (specifically raw Pu'er) has a full-bodied taste, high stability, and coordination. It produces a strong aftertaste and sweetness in the mouth, with ample qi and rich aromas like floral, fruity, and honey scents lingering on the palate. The tea liquor has a high degree of durability, and after drinking, it leaves a smooth and pleasant sensation in the throat.

5. Inspect the Leaf Base

High-quality tea leaves should be uniform, plump, with even color and few impurities, and have a high degree of tenderness and resilience.

Suggestions for Beginners Choosing Pu'er Tea

Suggestion 1: If you are just starting to drink tea and don't know much about it, avoid chasing after high-end mountain teas (unless you're wealthy). Since you may not fully appreciate them, it's easy to be misled. Instead, opt for teas at a reasonable price range (recommended not exceeding 300 yuan per cake) as daily consumption tea.

Suggestion 2: Many people buy daily consumption tea on online platforms like Taobao. Avoid purchasing items like 9.9 yuan delivered ice island tea or 5.8 yuan delivered young tangerine Peel tea. While the cost is low, it's not worth compromising your health. If you must buy online, choose flagship stores of large manufacturers where the taste and hygiene standards are more reliable.

Suggestion 3: If you have digestive issues, try to drink ripe tea since raw tea can be harsh on the stomach. If you prefer raw tea, avoid drinking newly made tea (except for professional tasting), as it can have a poorer taste and be harmful to the stomach, making it difficult for most people to tolerate. New tea is suitable for storage.

Suggestion 4: Don't solely pursue aged teas. Generally, for personal consumption, 3-5 year old teas offer the best value for money. Older vintages can be quite expensive.

Suggestion 5: Try to avoid plantation tea, as many plantation teas are treated with pesticides and fertilizers. Instead, opt for smaller trees or larger trees from mountain areas, which are reasonably priced.