Light Fragrance Type Tieguanyin, due to differences in production techniques, has evolved from the traditional tea to the popularity of the light fermentation process. The light fermentation process subsequently differentiated into three categories: Zheng Wei (Right Taste), Xiao Qing (Eliminated Green), and Tuo Suan (Dragged Sour). Among these, Xiao Qing further衍生 (gave rise to) two sub-categories: "Xiao Qing Pian Zheng" (Eliminated Green Leaning Right) and "Xiao Qing Pian Suan" (Eliminated Green Leaning Sour).
'Tuo Suan' is a folk term, but actually 'Tuo Suan' also belongs to the Light Fragrance Type Tieguanyin. Now let's understand the characteristics of 'Tuo Suan' tea. We will learn about it from four aspects: its appearance, aroma, taste, and production process.
1. Appearance: The dry tea often appears green and vibrant, with generally high color vividness. Its visual difference from Xiao Qing tea is not very significant, making it difficult to distinguish based on appearance alone.
2. Aroma: When rinsing the tea and smelling the wet leaves, the sourness is very noticeable. Tuo Suan tea generally has a distinct "Tuo"味 (dragged taste). This type of tea has a fatal flaw, and its工艺 (processing technique) is considered to have no value in preservation.
Note: In terms of the height and intensity of aroma, Tuo Suan ranks first, Xiao Qing ranks second, and Zheng Chao (Right Fry) ranks third. In terms of the elegance and refinement of aroma: Zheng Chao ranks first, Xiao Qing ranks second (high-grade products can also be并列第一 tied for first), Tuo Suan is末流 (bottom-tier) and cannot compare.
3. Taste: Drinking it can easily cause a feeling of反胃 (nausea), and as the storage time延长 (extends), this discomfort becomes more severe. If tea friends are new to it, they might not easily perceive this, but once they have this experience, they generally will not consider Tuo Suan tea anymore. Even well-made Tuo Suan tea is not suitable for long-term storage. For tea friends, the decision on which type of tea to choose should be based on their own taste buds rather than others' suggestions, because one's taste buds are the most honest. If you don't like Zheng Chao, then don't choose it, even though it represents the future trend. Choosing a style you prefer will give you a pleasant tea-tasting experience.
4. Production Process: Frying is done in the early morning or morning of the third day after picking, with the lightest level of Yao Qing (shaking).