When it comes to selecting tea leaves, many people follow others' opinions without truly knowing how to distinguish quality. Most consumers rely solely on the conventional rule that "the more expensive, the better." However, this is not entirely accurate. Experts explain that while price can reflect quality to some extent, it is more often related to scarcity. To find a good cup of autumn tea, it's essential to learn some simple identification methods.

Here are a few tips to help distinguish authentic autumn tea:

Feature One: Crisp Sound When Tapped

Dry tea leaves that are tightly rolled and produce a crisp sound when tapped indicate autumn tea. To test, drop a small amount of dry leaves into a cup—if the sound is clear and crisp, it is autumn tea. If the sound is dull, it is likely summer tea. This is because authentic autumn Tieguanyin tea has a tight, thick, and heavy appearance, producing a loud sound when dropped. In contrast, summer tea has a looser and lighter structure, resulting in a muffled sound.

Feature Two: Vibrant Green with Gloss

Dry tea leaves that are bright green and glossy are autumn tea. The color and shine of dry leaves are also intuitive indicators. Authentic Tieguanyin autumn tea should appear vivid green. When examined under light, if the leaves are green and glossy, it is genuine autumn tea. If the color is dull and lacks luster, it is likely summer tea.

However, if the tea leaves exhibit the color of spring tea—dark and oily (similar to the frost-like hue of dried persimmons)—it is not only authentic autumn tea but also of superior quality.

Feature Three: Fresh Fruity Aroma

Authentic autumn tea has a fresh, fruity fragrance. When brewed, Tieguanyin autumn tea is characterized by its distinct floral and fruity aroma, known as "autumn scent." If this aroma is absent, it is likely not autumn tea. The scent is the easiest feature for most people to use for identification. Summer tea, on the other hand, often has a slightly fishy smell.

Feature Four: Soft and Concave Brewed Leaves

After brewing, take out two or three tea leaves and examine them. If the leaves are soft and concave, it is authentic autumn Tieguanyin. If the leaves are stiff and rough, it is not genuine autumn tea.