The more plump the bacteria, the higher the tea quality

Upon closely examining a piece of Fuzhuan tea, one will notice these fine "golden flowers" appearing as tiny golden spots covering the tea brick, which might initially seem like spoilage.

This bacteria is called "Eurotium cristatum," not mold but a beneficial strain intentionally cultivated in a controlled environment during tea production to help reduce high blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. However, since Anhua dark tea has not been popular in Hubei for long, many consumers misunderstand it upon first encounter.

Fuzhuan tea is considered the "introductory tea" to Anhua dark tea, with its "golden flowers" being its most notable feature. The raw material for Fuzhuan tea is typically third-grade dark tea, which is relatively coarse. The tea's mellowness depends on the growth of the "golden flowers." Generally, the more abundant and plump the bacteria, the better the tea's flavor and nutritional value. However, since these bacteria are active, improper storage conditions (humidity and temperature) can cause the "golden flowers" to shrink or even disappear over time.

Fuzhuan tea must contain tea stems

Hubei residents prefer green tea, where stems are considered a sign of poor quality. Consequently, many locals apply the same standard when purchasing dark tea. However, this does not apply to dark tea.

Except for Tianjian, Gongjian, and Shengjian (loose teas made from buds), most dark teas contain stems, especially Fuzhuan tea. "Tea stems are thicker, creating gaps during compression that allow the 'golden flowers' to grow. Thus, controlling stem content is a technical aspect of Fuzhuan tea production. The industry standard is around 12% stem content."

However, exceeding this standard may indicate cost-cutting, as stems are free while tea leaves cost money. Consumers can check the brewed tea to assess if the stem content is appropriate.