Tea Tasting and Selection: How to Choose the Perfect Cup

Choosing the right tea can be a delightful journey if you know what to look for. Let’s break down the essentials of tea tasting and selection to help you find your perfect brew.

Tea Evaluation Criteria

Appearance

When you’re checking out tea, start with its looks. You want to see if the leaves are intact, have a natural color, and include a good amount of tender buds. This gives you a hint about the tea’s quality.

Aroma

The smell of tea is a big deal. High-quality tea should have a strong, lasting aroma. Whether it’s floral, fruity, or honey-like, the scent should be inviting and persistent.

Taste

When you sip the tea, pay attention to its mellowness, freshness, and aftertaste. A good tea should feel smooth and leave a pleasant aftertaste that makes you want more.

Infused Leaves

After brewing, take a look at the leaves. They should be tender, have a nice color, and be uniform. This tells you a lot about the tea’s quality and how well it brews.

Tea Liquor

The color, clarity, and brightness of the tea liquor are important. A clear, bright tea is usually a sign of good quality.

Core Standard

At the end of the day, the most important thing is that the tea tastes good. “Deliciousness” is the ultimate standard.

Tea Evaluation Terminology

Appearance: Look for terms like plump, tight, uniform, and complete.
Aroma: Descriptions might include high, persistent, floral, fruity, or honey-like.

Taste: You might hear mellow, fresh, sweet aftertaste, or bitterness.
Infused Leaves: Look for tender, thick, and uniform.
Tea Liquor: Descriptions include clear, bright, yellow-green, or orange-yellow.