Secret 1: There Is No Perfect One, Only One That Suits You Better

“Pu'er tea is unlike other foods; those who truly enjoy it often buy it themselves.” Based on the consumption habits of the author and many Pu'er tea enthusiasts, Pu'er tea is truly something people choose for themselves, unlike gifts such as cigarettes or alcohol. They go to tea shops, taste and select a Pu'er tea that suits them, rather than simply paying, taking it away, and leaving it on a shelf. Even tea from the same origin and batch may not be exactly the same, so it needs to be tasted to find which one suits you better. For true tea lovers, there is no perfect Pu'er tea, only one that suits them better.

Secret 2: Selecting Pu'er Tea Requires Judging Both Appearance and Inner Quality Before Deciding

The quality of Pu'er tea is reflected in both its appearance and inner quality. First, judge the appearance. A good Pu'er tea cake has uniform leaves on both sides and inside, with few stems and yellow leaves. Raw Pu'er tea has a bright color; if it appears black, it may have been poorly stored or moldy. Second, smell the tea. Good tea carries the natural aroma of the tea leaves, without any off-smell or moldy odor. Finally, taste it. When you have chosen a Pu'er tea cake, you can ask the tea master to brew a sample from the same batch, or even break off a small piece to brew and taste. Evaluate the flavor, aroma, and liquor color.

Secret 3: Pu'er Tea Can Be Adulterated — Too Cheap Is Not Advisable

Pu'er tea has become increasingly popular. However, there are also some dishonest practices in the market. For example, some tea merchants use high-quality tea leaves on the surface of the cake but fill the inside with inferior leaves. A few merchants even use a type of Vietnamese leaf to counterfeit Pu'er tea, or use tea leftovers mixed with glue to press into tea cakes. According to Zhou Jian, a standard 357-gram Pu'er tea cake usually sells for at least 100 RMB, with some priced at thousands or even tens of thousands of RMB. The most popular price range among consumers is 300–800 RMB. It is recommended not to buy Pu'er tea that is too cheap, such as those priced at 10–20 RMB.

Secret 4: Brewing Pu'er Tea Requires Care — Tea and Liquor Should Be Separated

First, Pu'er tea needs to be rinsed once or twice to remove dust and impurities, and to warm the cups. Then start brewing. Raw Pu'er tea should be steeped quickly to avoid a cooked flavor. Generally, it can be steeped up to 12 times. It is best to use Nongfu Spring water for brewing. Raw Pu'er requires water at 100°C, while ripe Pu'er needs boiling water at 100°C. When pouring water, do not pour directly onto the tea leaves; instead, pour along the inner wall of the teapot or cup.

Secret 5: Different Teapots for Different Teas — Raw and Ripe Pu'er Should Be Kept Separate

Yixing purple clay teapots are the top choice for brewing Pu'er tea, as they offer good breathability and heat retention, preserving the tea's aroma and flavor without causing off-tastes. Porcelain gaiwans are also a good option, as they allow you to observe and appreciate the changes in the tea liquor, and they hold fragrance better than glassware. Moreover, teapots used for raw and ripe Pu'er tea must be kept separate and not used interchangeably.

Additionally, only good Pu'er tea will improve over time — the so-called “the older, the more fragrant.” Inferior tea will not transform significantly no matter how long it is stored. It is recommended that consumers focus on brand reputation and quality when selecting and collecting Pu'er tea.