Nowadays, more and more people are enjoying Tea, and there is a lot to consider when choosing tea. However, some inferior teas that pass themselves off as better quality on the market can catch many people off guard. Some of the methods used to fake tea may not be immediately recognizable even by seasoned tea drinkers.

Adding fragrance is a common method used to fake tea. Such fragranced teas are generally inexpensive and often consist of old or low-quality teas that have been refreshed with fragrances and dyes, or lower-quality teas that have been enhanced with artificial aromas.

True high-quality tea would never be tainted with artificial fragrances that would ruin its natural aroma and flavor. So, how can we tell if tea has been artificially fragranced? Here are five points to consider, full of practical advice, so make sure to take notes:

1. Smell the dry tea's aroma

Using Phoenix Dancong tea as an example, due to its unique processing method, Phoenix Dancong does not have a particularly strong aroma when it's in its dry form. Take a handful of Phoenix Dancong and bring it up to your nose, inhale deeply, and if you experience a subtle, natural, and comfortable tea scent, it likely hasn't been artificially fragranced.

On the other hand, if the dry tea's aroma is overpowering and lingers like perfume in your nostrils, then it is highly likely that artificial fragrances have been added.

2. Rub the tea to observe color changes

You can take a Leaf of tea and rub it between your fingers until it breaks down. If your fingers become coated with powder or change color, then additives have likely been added.

3. Smell the tea after brewing at a low temperature

If, after brewing with 80-degree water, the tea appears cloudy or has a very strong aroma, then it is likely that artificial fragrances have been added. Conversely, if the tea has a pale color and lacks flavor, it probably doesn't contain artificial fragrances.

This is because Phoenix Dancong must be brewed with water at 95 degrees Celsius or higher for its aroma and taste to emerge, whereas most artificial fragrances dissolve and release their aroma quickly at 80 degrees Celsius.

4. Assess the tea's aroma retention

After brewing, if the tea's aroma drops significantly with each infusion and lacks variation, and if there is no tea aroma by the third infusion, and the tea tastes bland like boiled water, then it is possible that artificial fragrances have been added.

Good tea should have a natural aroma, and the charm of this aroma cannot be matched by the reaction produced by adding artificial fragrances. High-quality Phoenix Dancong tea is very resistant to infusions and retains its aroma, usually still having a lingering aroma after ten infusions.

5. Observe the tea stains overnight

After drinking the tea, leave the Cup unwashed overnight. The next morning, you will find a thick layer of tea stains in the cup.

If the color of the tea stains is a shade of yellow, such as light yellow, deep yellow, or orange-yellow, it indicates that the tea contains no additives, as the concentration of the tea increases overnight, causing the color to deepen.

Conversely, if the tea stains appear in other colors such as light green, dark green, or blackish green, it suggests that the tea may contain additives. These additives, after soaking overnight, are no longer attached to the tea leaves and instead blend into the liquid, revealing their true color.