Under China's climate conditions, except for a few areas in the southern tea region, tea tree growth and tea production are seasonal in most tea-producing areas. Tea is usually divided into spring, summer, and autumn varieties based on the harvesting time.

To identify the quality characteristics of spring tea, summer tea, and autumn tea, we can describe them from two aspects.

First, 'dry' observation mainly judges from three factors: color, aroma, and shape of the dry tea.

Green tea with lush green color, black tea with dark glossy color, tea leaves that are plump and heavy, or with numerous white hairs, and both black and green tea with tightly rolled strips, or pearl tea with round tight particles, along with rich aroma, are quality characteristics of spring tea.

Green tea with grayish dull color, black tea with reddish color, tea leaves that are light and loose, with wide long tender stems, and both black and green tea with松散strips, or pearl tea with loose particles, and slightly coarse aroma, are characteristics of summer tea.

Green tea with yellowish-green color, black tea with dark red color, tea leaves of varying sizes, thin and small leaves, and relatively mild aroma, are indicators of autumn tea.

Second, 'wet' observation involves brewing and evaluating the tea for further judgment.

Tea that sinks quickly after brewing, with strong and lasting aroma, mellow taste; green tea showing yellowish-green liquor, black tea showing bright liquor with golden ring; tea leaves with soft and thick texture, and abundant normal buds and leaves, indicates spring tea.

Tea that sinks relatively slowly after brewing, with slightly lower aroma; green tea with less thickness and slight astringency, greenish liquor, leaves mixed with copper-green buds; black tea with strong but less refreshing taste, reddish-dark liquor, relatively bright red leaves; tea leaves that are thin and relatively hard, with many opposite leaves, indicates summer tea.

Tea with not very high aroma after brewing, plain taste, leaves mixed with copper-green buds, leaves of varying sizes, with many opposite leaves, indicates autumn tea.