◎The first is the belief that more expensive tea is better.

"Nowadays, there are more and more high-priced teas, which not only satisfy people's taste preferences but also serve as a status symbol," says Zhao Yingli, a renowned Chinese tea scholar. "The price of tea is determined by its quality and grade."

Quality mainly refers to the tea's origin and variety. "For example, everyone knows that West Lake Longjing is good."

Grade is primarily related to the picking time and part of the tea plant. Tender buds, one bud with one leaf, or one bud with two leaves can significantly affect the price. For example, Longjing tea picked before Qingming (Tomb-Sweeping Day) is the most expensive.

"Ordinary people don’t need to buy high-end tea. They can choose based on their budget and personal taste." Experts suggest that tea priced between 100–300 yuan per 500 grams is suitable. "At this price, you can already find very high-quality tea. When buying, focus on quality rather than grade. Some high-grade teas are picked too early and are too tender, while some nutrients are actually found in the stems. Some cheaper teas may have better health benefits."

◎The second misconception is drinking tea without savoring it.

There are two types of tea: one is the "tea" in "firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea," and the other is the "tea" in "music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, and tea."

The first type meets people's "physical health" needs, such as quenching thirst, refreshing the mind, reducing internal heat, and aiding digestion. The second type meets people's "mental and emotional" needs, such as expressing emotions, observing rituals, and gaining insights.

The greatest value of tea lies in nurturing the mind, with physical health as a secondary benefit. "Especially for middle-aged people who are busy and stressed, they should take time to patiently brew and savor a pot of tea. When agitated, people are prone to making wrong decisions. Taking time to enjoy tea before deciding can be helpful."

Choosing Tea Based on Physique and Season

◎Select tea according to your physique.

To achieve health benefits through tea, it's essential to understand tea. "Each type of tea has different properties, so choose the one that suits you.

For example, everyone says green tea has excellent antioxidant effects, but people with a cold constitution may feel uncomfortable after drinking it." "Tea drinking also depends on timing and environment. Many people drink the same tea all year round, which is not ideal. In cold winters, you can drink more warm-natured teas; in spring and summer, when internal heat is common, green tea or floral tea is better."

◎Choose tea wisely.

Chinese tea is divided into six categories: green tea, black tea, yellow tea, white tea, oolong tea, and dark tea. Each type has different properties and effects on the body.

For example:

Green tea is cold in nature and suitable for people with a hot constitution, strong stomach fire, and high energy. It also has good anti-radiation effects, making it ideal for those who work long hours in front of computers.

White tea is cool in nature and suitable for similar groups as green tea. However, "aged green tea is like grass, while aged white tea is a treasure." Aged white tea has detoxifying and health-boosting effects.

Yellow tea is cold in nature, with effects similar to green tea, but it has a mellower taste compared to the refreshing flavor of green tea.

Oolong tea is neutral in nature and suits the widest range of people.

Black tea is warm in nature and is suitable for those with a cold stomach, cold hands and feet, weak constitution, or older age. Adding milk or honey enhances its flavor.

Dark tea (e.g., Pu-erh) is warm in nature and helps reduce grease, detoxify meat, and lower blood lipids. It tastes and works better after proper aging.

◎Choose tea according to the season.

Spring: Floral tea and Dan Cong.

Spring is the time to soothe the liver, and aromatic substances help unblock energy channels. Phoenix Dan Cong and floral teas are ideal. However, fresh green tea may still be too cold in spring, especially for those with a cold constitution.

Summer: Refreshing green tea and Tieguanyin.

Green tea is the best choice for summer heat relief. Additionally, Tieguanyin and Taiwanese high-mountain tea are good options. Those with a strong constitution can also drink raw Pu-erh aged 3–5 years.

Autumn: Oolong tea is perfect.

Autumn is suitable for oolong tea, which is neither cold nor warm, helping to clear residual heat and nourish the body. The best choices are spring-harvested Tieguanyin and last year's Wuyi rock tea.

Winter: Black tea and ripe Pu-erh.

Black tea in winter helps nourish yang energy, providing warmth. Ripe Pu-erh warms the stomach, dispels cold, and aids digestion.

What Tea Is Best for Men and Women? Choose tea based on the person.

◎Tea for the elderly.

Many elderly people worry that tea drinking leads to calcium loss. However, as long as they don’t drink excessive or overly strong tea and consume enough milk and tofu, the lost calcium can be replenished. Older people can drink more black tea.

◎Tea for children.

Children can also drink mild tea in moderation, which benefits their growth.

◎Tea for men.

Men are suited to green tea, raw Pu-erh aged over three years, and oolong tea, especially Wuyi rock tea, known as "tea for men."

◎Tea for women.

Women can drink high-quality green tea for beauty benefits. However, they should control intake during menstruation and pregnancy. During menopause, floral tea and Dan Cong are recommended.

Incorrect Brewing Methods Reduce Nutrients

The biggest "mistake" modern people make when drinking tea is using a large cup with tea leaves steeped all day. This not only prevents tasting the true flavor of tea but also risks heavy metal leaching due to prolonged steeping, which is unhealthy. "Tea must be separated from water during brewing. Even without professional tea sets, a teapot or cup with a filter can be used."

Additionally, "not rinsing new tea, not discarding leftover tea, and not cleaning tea stains" are common mistakes. Whether it’s tender new tea or precious aged tea, surface residues like pesticides or dust mites may exist. It’s best to "rinse" the tea by discarding the first brew. Some people avoid cleaning tea stains on teapots, believing it enhances the pot. In reality, tea stains are harmful to health and affect the tea's taste.