From Qingming to Xiaoman is spring tea; from Xiaoman to Xiaoshu is summer tea; from Xiaoshu to Hanlu is autumn tea.

An ancient saying goes: Spring tea is bitter, summer tea is astringent; to taste good, drink autumn Bailu tea.

The ancients believed that autumn tea was the best to drink. Its flavor and soup color fall between spring and summer tea. Although its nutritional content is not as high as spring tea, autumn tea has a very intense aroma, especially represented by Tieguanyin, which is known for having "Spring Water, Autumn Fragrance".

Why is autumn tea particularly fragrant?

The autumn sky is clear and the air is crisp, with less rainfall, resulting in thin, sweet water. The tea produced has a rich, lingering aroma, a mellow taste, and a smooth flavor.

Why is Tieguanyin the representative of autumn tea?

Compared to green tea and Pu'er tea, which prize spring tea for its high content of internal substances and fresh, brisk taste, Tieguanyin is best as autumn tea, hence the saying "Spring Water, Autumn Fragrance". Therefore, when autumn tea is mentioned, the first thing tea drinkers think of is Tieguanyin.

What is "Spring Water, Autumn Fragrance"?

Tieguanyin spring tea has a strong taste with a soft, sweet, and mellow soup; autumn tea has a rich fragrance with a high, intense floral aroma.

Besides Tieguanyin, what else can you drink as autumn tea?

Fenghuang Dancong: The higher the altitude of Fenghuang Mountain, the less the tea grows in autumn, so the yield of autumn tea is smaller, making it more precious.

When is autumn tea available?

Tieguanyin autumn tea is generally available after Hanlu. The so-called "Zhengqiu tea" (true autumn tea) refers to tea picked 3 days before and 4 days after Hanlu. After a certain production cycle, it can reach tea drinkers by mid-to-late October. Good tea requires patience!

How to select Tieguanyin autumn tea?

1. Crisp Sound When Tossed

Dry tea that is tightly rolled and makes a crisp sound when tossed into the cup is autumn tea; if the sound is dull, it should be summer tea. Authentic autumn Tieguanyin has a tight, thick, solid, and heavy appearance, and naturally makes a loud sound when tossed.

2. Fresh Green and Lustrous

Dry tea that is fresh green and lustrous is autumn tea. Take a small amount of dry tea under a light; if it appears green and has a good luster, it is Zhengqiu (true autumn) tea. If the tea leaves are dark oily (like a persimmon cake with frost), it is not only Zhengqiu tea but also top-quality Zhengqiu tea.

3. Fresh Fruity Fragrance

Tea with a fresh, fruity floral scent is Zhengqiu tea. The most characteristic smell of brewed Tieguanyin autumn tea is its fresh, fruity floral aroma, the so-called autumn fragrance.

4. Soft and Concave Leaf Base

Take out two or three brewed leaves after several infusions and unfold them for a closer look. If the leaf base is soft and concave, it can generally be identified as authentic autumn Tieguanyin; if the leaf base is stiff and rough, it can be determined not to be authentic autumn Tieguanyin.

How to store autumn tea?

When autumn tea first hits the market, it's best to let it rest in a cool place for more than 15 days before drinking, as the grassy note will have diminished. Also, do not drink autumn tea that has been left overnight, especially if it hasn't been stored properly.

All good tea takes advantage of the right time and place, and benefits from diligent planting and good practices first. Adapting to the changes of the four seasons, following nature, drinking autumn tea in autumn, one finds joy in it.

Hanlu has passed, fresh autumn tea is available, so take the new fire to try the new tea.