How to identify good and bad tea leaves

4 Tips to Learn to Recognize Good and Bad Tea

-Appearance
Observe whether the appearance of tea leaves is complete and even, and whether the color is natural and bright. High-quality tea leaves are tightly knotted, uniform in thickness, and free from excessive debris and impurities.
-Smell the aroma
Smell whether the aroma of tea leaves is pure and long-lasting. Good quality tea leaves usually have fresh, rich and natural aroma, and have no peculiar odor.
-See the color of the tea broth
Observe the color of the tea broth after brewing. The color of the soup should be clear and bright, without turbidity.
-Taste
Taste the tea broth to determine whether the taste is mellow, fresh and sweet. A good tea has a smooth texture, harmonized taste and no peculiar smell.

Characteristics of high-quality tea

Premium Green Tea

Appearance: Tight and well-balanced, complete buds and leaves, tender or bright green color, glossy.
Aroma: fresh and elegant, with tender and chestnut aroma.
Soup color: clear and bright, yellow-green or turquoise.
Taste: fresh and sweet, mellow and without bitterness and astringency.
Leaf Bottom: tender green, bright, soft and even.

Premium Black Tea

Appearance: Tight and thin, well-balanced, with golden hairs showing.
Aroma: Strong sweet aroma, fruity, floral or caramelized aroma is obvious.
Soup color: red and bright, with “golden ring” at the edge.
Taste: mellow and sweet, smooth and refreshing.
Leaf base: red, even and bright, soft and thick.

　Quality Oolong Tea (Tieguanyin for example)

Appearance: Curly, strong and heavy cords, green with green belly and dragonfly head shape.
Aroma: Orchid, osmanthus and other elegant aroma, long lasting.
Soup color: golden yellow and bright.
Taste: mellow, sweet and fresh, with obvious sound.
Leaf base: plump, soft and bright, even, with obvious red edges.

Quality Dark Tea (Probiotics Dark Tea for example)

Appearance: Tight and well-balanced, reddish-brown in color, covered with golden flowers.
Aroma: Unique aroma such as Chenxiang and Camphor, pure and no peculiar flavor.
Soup color: red, thick and bright, like red wine color.
Taste: mellow, smooth and sweet.
Leaf Bottom:Reddish brown, soft and even.

Premium White Tea

Appearance: The buds are fat and strong, the hairs are many and dense, and the leaves are complete.
Aroma: Hair fragrance, flower fragrance, aged fragrance, etc. The aroma is fresh and natural.
Soup color: light yellow or apricot yellow, clear and bright.
Taste: sweet, mellow and refreshing, with a soft texture.Leaf
Bottom:Uniform, bright, buds and leaves.

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