Identifying Inferior Pu-erh Tea: 4 Things to Look For, 6 Things to Ignore_Tea News

Pu-erh tea, despite having a history of thousands of years of cultivation and consumption in Yunnan, has only recently begun to shed its mysterious aura in the last couple of decades. Its unique flavor profile and pharmacological effects, which align with the modern pursuit of health, have attracted growing attention. However, the current Pu-erh tea market is not yet fully mature. There are few tea merchants capable of authenticating Pu-erh, and many shop owners themselves cannot accurately discern its true quality. Driven by profit, some falsely label products with renowned vintage names or press marks, and it's increasingly common to find so-called treasured Pu-erh teas claimed to be twenty, thirty, or even fifty or sixty years old. Furthermore, many merchants store tea in dark, highly humid environments to accelerate its aging, often artificially sprinkling water, which frequently leads to tea leaves becoming moldy and spoiled. After the tea rapidly deteriorates, the cakes are air-dried, resulting in 'wet-stored tea' that superficially resembles aged Pu-erh in a short period.

The following introduces some basic and convenient clever identification techniques:

6 Things to Ignore:

1. Do not use incorrect era claims as a benchmark (Note: Truly 1950s-60s tea can only be found in museums. Consider, would any tea factory/merchant store finished tea for 50 years before selling it?)

2. Do not rely on forged packaging;

3. Do not use the depth of tea color as an excuse;

4. Do not be guided by added flavors (Note: The true camphor and jujube aromas of Pu-erh form naturally. How could they be so strong as to be pungent?)

5. Do not be swayed by claims of 'aged aroma' from storage;

6. Do not overemphasize tree age or leaf variety as primary considerations.

4 Things to Look For: (Clarity, Purity, Authenticity, Qi)

Clarity - The aroma should be clear, without any moldy smell.

Purity - The liquor color should be pure, like jujube red or a rich, bright red, not black as lacquer.

Authenticity - It should be stored in the correct environment, in dry storage, not wet storage.

Qi - When tasting the liquor, it should uplift the spirit and bring contentment.

Note: The standards for selecting any type of tea are always consistent. When purchasing, first assess your budget and generally consider the broad category you want. Next, find a highly reliable merchant, preferably a Pu-erh tea specialty shop. Such establishments have a complete variety, ample stock, and high credibility. Additionally, seek advice from experienced Pu-erh drinkers to increase your knowledge.

If you are interested in tea, please visit Tea Drop Bus