Tea Novice's Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls: Three Ways to Spot a Disguise

YuanJia131

1. Price trap
Beware of "Free Shipping on Old Banlangshan (9.9)": The cost of fresh leaves from the core tea-producing area for ancient tea trees reaches thousands of yuan per kilogram. Reasonable price range: Premium daily-use tea (200-500 yuan per cake), collectible grade (over 1,000 yuan).

2. Packaging Misdirection
Essential information: origin, year, batch, production standards (missing any one is suspicious).
Anti-counterfeiting measures: QR code traceability system or anti-counterfeiting label (standard for major manufacturers).

3. The Manifestation of the Senses
Hot sniff, cold sniff: Good tea releases a clearer and sweeter aroma when cooled (tea with added essence develops a noticeable off-flavor after cooling).
Observe the tea's endurance: high-quality tea remains clear when cooled (poor-quality tea tends to become cloudy).
Rubbing the tea leaves: High-quality tea leaves resist crumbling when rubbed (inferior tea crumbles easily upon twisting).

Practical Tasting: The Three-Step Method for Beginners

1. Observing the Tea: Pour the tea into a glass tea cup and hold it up to the light—quality tea will always be clear and bright.

2. Savor the Broth: Don't rush to swallow the tea; gently swirl it on your tongue to appreciate its texture.

3. Aftertaste: After swallowing, close your mouth and breathe out through the nose to experience the throat resonance and lingering fragrance.

In the world of Pu'er tea, there are no overnight masters, but mastering these scientific tasting methods can help you avoid 80% of tea-buying pitfalls.