White tea, an ancient and precious type of tea, has attracted widespread attention in the tea market at home and abroad in recent years. However, many tea lovers may not be very clear about the classification of white tea. In fact, the grade of white tea is not as simple as we think, it involves a comprehensive evaluation of multiple factors. This article will give you an in-depth look at the grading of white tea to help you better appreciate this wonderful tea category.
1. Classification and characteristics of white tea.
White tea is mainly divided into varieties such as Baihao Silver Needle, White Peony, Shou Mei, Gong Mei and Old White Tea. Among them, the white silver needle is famous for the fat and strong bud head, full of white hair, and bright color;The white peony is named after the green leaves and the silver-white heart, which resembles a flower;Shou Mei and Gong Mei are picking a bud.
The tender shoots of the second and third leaves are made and the appearance is similar, but the yield of Shou Mei is higher, and the yield is relatively low;Old white tea is white tea after long-term storage, and its soup color is deeper and the taste is more mellow.
Second, the classification of white tea.
The grade of white tea is mainly evaluated according to factors such as picking time, picking part, and tea quality. Generally, the grades of white tea are divided into several grades, such as extra grade, first grade, second grade, and others.
Picking time: The picking time of white tea has an important impact on the quality. Spring is the best period for white tea quality, because the spring temperature is moderate and the rainfall is abundant, which is conducive to the growth and metabolism of tea. Therefore, the quality of white tea picked in spring is generally higher.
Picking part: The picking part of white tea is also an important factor affecting the grade. Generally speaking, the white silver needle with a fat bud head and a full heart and the white peony with one bud and one leaf and one bud and two leaves are of higher quality. And Shou Mei and Gong Mei are better with one bud and three leaves and below.
Tea quality: Tea quality is the core factor that determines the grade of white tea. It involves many aspects such as the aroma, taste, soup color, and leaf bottom of the tea. High-quality white tea has a fresh, sweet, smooth taste accompanied by an elegant floral or fruity aroma. The soup is bright in color, and the bottom of the leaves is even and thick.
3. How to identify the grade of white tea?
Look at the appearance: There are certain differences in the appearance of different grades of white tea. Premium white tea usually has fat buds, full hearts, and bright colorGrade 1 or 2 white teas may have small buds or dull color. In addition, the leaf size and color of Shou Mei and Gong Mei will also vary depending on the grade.
Smell: High-quality white tea has a fresh floral or fruity aroma, while lower-grade white tea may have no obvious aroma or have an off-flavor. When brewing, you can pay attention to the aroma of the tea to judge its quality.
Taste: High-quality white teas have a smooth, sweet taste, while lower-grade white teas may have a rough or astringent taste. When tasting tea, you can pay attention to the taste performance of the tea to judge its grade.
Look at the color of the soup: The soup color of high-quality white tea is bright, pale yellow or apricot yellow;Lower-grade white teas may have a cloudy soup color, with a reddish-brown or black color. Observing the color of the soup is also one of the important ways to identify the grade of white tea.
Look at the bottom of the leaves: the bottom of high-quality white tea leaves is even, thick, tender green or yellow-green;Whereas, lower-grade white tea leaves may have a rougher base and a dark green or dark green color. Observation of the bottom of the leaf is also an effective means to identify the grade of white tea.
In conclusion, it is very important for tea tasters to understand the classification and identification methods of white tea. When buying white tea, you must pay attention to the shape, aroma, taste, soup color and leaf bottom of the tea to ensure that you buy high-quality white tea. At the same time, you should also choose the right white tea according to your taste preferences and tea quality.