Recognized tea connoisseurs believe that disregard for the choice of the variety, the inability to evaluate the taste and aroma of each individual drink is a disregard for the ancient tea culture. How to learn to choose the right quality tea?
In the homeland of tea ceremonies, it is believed that the leaves of high-quality tea should be of alpine origin. Today in China there are a huge number of tea plantations, many grow their crops directly on their own residential areas in the valleys and lowlands. Nevertheless, the most noble tea is still grown and harvested no lower than 1000 meters above sea level. Alpine climatic conditions are ideal for the best disclosure of all the richness of flavors, for which we value good Chinese tea. In particular, the best milk oolong is grown at high altitudes. The price of this tea will be higher than the price of a lower quality low-lying drink, but you will not regret your choice.
The second criterion for quality and nobility is freshness. Most varieties are designed for short-term storage: they need to be drunk in the same season when the leaves were harvested, processed and sent for sale. The exception to this rule is highly fermented Chinese pu-erh, which, on the other hand, improves upon long aging. As for delicate green, white and yellow teas, those varieties that were collected in spring from the youngest two-month-old leaves and not fully opened buds are considered the best. If the leaves are already 3-5 months old at the time of harvest, their cost is significantly reduced. If tea has been stored for more than six months after collection, connoisseurs consider it cheap and not too high quality, since it loses a lot of taste and useful properties.
Do not buy tea prepackaged in a factory. The beautiful gift boxes look extremely attractive, but they may have been stored in warehouses for years. The best Chinese teas are packaged right at the customer's place, measuring the right amount of the mash and packing it in a bag. Puer is again an exception: it is sold in pressed plates or pancakes wrapped in paper. Pu-erh tea is packaged directly in Chinese factories, so all you need to buy quality tea is to find a reliable supplier and a bona fide seller.
Follow all these rules, and tea will delight you with a unique aroma and multifaceted taste.
