Tieguanyin has always been widely popular, yet identifying premium Tieguanyin is a profound skill. It is easy for experts in the field to distinguish, while laymen can assess the tea by "observing the shape, listening to the sound, inspecting the color, smelling the aroma, and tasting the essence." Below are 6 methods to identify premium Tieguanyin.

1. Observe the shape: High-quality Tieguanyin leaves are curly, firm, and heavy, shaped like a green stem, green belly, and dragonfly head. The color is fresh and lustrous, with a sandy green appearance, red spots, and a white frost on the leaf surface.

2. Listen to the sound: Premium tea leaves are more compact and heavier than ordinary ones. When a small amount is placed into a teapot, a crisp "clink" sound indicates high quality, while a dull sound suggests lower quality.

3. Inspect the color: The liquor is golden yellow, rich and clear. After brewing, the leaves are thick, bright, and glossy (one characteristic of Tieguanyin is the outward curve of the leaf back), which indicates high quality. A dark red liquor is inferior.

4. Aroma: The most enchanting feature of Anxi Tieguanyin is its strong, orchid-like fragrance. However, not all Tieguanyin has this aroma; only a few successfully produced high-quality teas exhibit a distinct and rich orchid scent. Generally, there are two styles of orchid fragrance: one is sharp and intense, with a strong impact and a rigid character, leaving a deep impression, widely regarded by tea enthusiasts as a benchmark for high-grade Anxi Tieguanyin.

5. Taste: The drinking experience is the second key indicator of good Anxi Tieguanyin quality. It can be assessed in terms of initial appeal (no bitterness, no significant astringency, pure aroma), mouthfeel (allowing the tea to flow in the mouth, filling it with fragrance), and swallowing sensation (smooth, instantly entering the throat, clean and crisp).

6. Aftertaste and lingering sweetness: Good tea has a long-lasting aftertaste, leaving a fragrant sensation in the teeth and mouth for hours, which is truly delightful. Aftertaste: Whether lightly fermented or moderately fermented, high-quality products produce a sweet sensation at the back of the throat immediately after drinking, which then spreads upward throughout the mouth and persists. Returning sweetness: High-quality moderately fermented Anxi Tieguanyin exhibits a very noticeable sweetness, which appears simultaneously with the aftertaste, giving a rich and mellow feeling.