We all know that Pu-erh tea has many health benefits, with its effects on weight loss, lowering blood lipids, and warming and protecting the stomach being particularly notable. However, identifying the grade of Pu-erh tea is also essential knowledge for Pu-erh tea enthusiasts. Below is a detailed introduction on how to identify the grade of Pu-erh tea.

Pu-erh tea can be categorized into high, medium, and low grades. High-grade teas include: Golden Melon Tribute Tea, premium brick (cake) tea, 7266 Seven Sons Cake, Imperial, Tribute Tea, and special grade. Medium-grade teas include: 7576 ripe cake, 7432 raw cake, first to third-grade brick tea, tuo tea, and first to fifth-grade loose tea. Low-grade teas consist of sixth to tenth-grade loose tea.

Pu-erh tea is divided into special grade and grades one to ten based on their respective quality characteristics:

Special Grade: Externally, the tea strands are tight, straight, and relatively fine, with visible buds. Internally, the liquor is reddish-brown and thick, with a rich aged aroma, mellow taste, and a relatively reddish-brown and tender brewed leaf.

First Grade: Externally, the tea strands are tight and somewhat tender, with relatively visible buds. Internally, the liquor is reddish-brown and thick, with a mellow and harmonious taste, a strong and pure aroma, and reddish-brown, plump, and tender brewed leaves.

Third Grade: Externally, the tea strands are tight, with still visible buds. Internally, the liquor is reddish-brown and thick, with a mellow and harmonious taste, a strong and pure aroma, and reddish-brown, soft brewed leaves.

Fifth Grade: Externally, the tea strands are firm, with slightly visible buds. Internally, the liquor is deep red, with a mellow and harmonious taste, a pure aroma, and reddish-brown brewed leaves that are somewhat uneven but still soft.

Seventh Grade: Externally, the tea strands are stout and firm, with a reddish-brown color slightly tinged with gray. Internally, the liquor is deep red, with a mellow and harmonious taste, a pure and balanced aroma, and reddish-brown brewed leaves that are somewhat uneven but still tender.

Eighth Grade: Externally, the tea strands are stout, with a reddish-brown color slightly tinged with gray. Internally, the liquor is deep red, with a mellow and harmonious taste, a pure and balanced aroma, and reddish-brown brewed leaves that are somewhat uneven but still tender.

Ninth Grade: Externally, the tea strands are large and still relatively firm, with a reddish-brown color slightly tinged with gray. Internally, the liquor is deep red, with a mellow and harmonious taste, a pure and balanced aroma, and reddish-brown brewed leaves that are somewhat uneven but still tender.

Tenth Grade: Externally, the tea strands are somewhat loose, with a reddish-brown color slightly mottled. Internally, the liquor is deep red, with a mild taste, a balanced aroma, and reddish-brown brewed leaves that are somewhat coarse.

The grading is primarily based on tenderness: the higher the tenderness, the higher the grade. Tenderness is evaluated based on three main aspects: first, the number of buds—more buds and visible fine hairs indicate higher tenderness; second, the tightness and weight of the tea strands—tight, heavy strands indicate better tenderness; third, the glossiness of the color—bright, lustrous color indicates good tenderness, while a dull, dry color indicates poorer tenderness.

The above is an introduction to identifying the grade of Pu-erh tea, hoping to help everyone understand Pu-erh tea better.