Choose good tea by the brewed liquor: A good Pouchong tea should have a clean, refreshing aroma in the liquor, while Oolong tea should carry a mellow sweetness. A quality brew is aromatic and leaves a sweet aftertaste (hui gan). If it tastes bitter or astringent, the production quality may be subpar. It’s also best to steep the tea at least three times when tasting, as the quality becomes much more apparent after the third infusion.
▼ Judge by the spent leaves (tea base): The brewed leaves of a good tea should be uniform, fully unfurled, thick, and springy. If they are broken, it might indicate careless harvesting or over-rolling during processing. If they don’t unfurl completely, the leaves may have been harvested too young or poorly processed. Furthermore, it is normal for Oolong tea to have green leaves with reddish edges. High Mountain tea and Pouchong tea will have even fewer red edges, while Oriental Beauty and black tea will show a dark reddish hue.
Choosing good tea takes time and experience. If you are new to buying tea, it’s best to have an experienced tea-loving friend guide you, or consult and purchase from a reputable tea merchant. This is the best way to build up your knowledge. Feel free to contact Chang Hsing Tea if you are looking for quality tea.