What we want today is a contest in the tea industry - which is better, raw tea or cooked tea, Pu'er tea?This is a topic that has been hotly debated by tea fans, and I'm sure you've been bothered by this question before. Don't worry, let's unveil the mystery of this tea culture and find the way of Pu'er tea that suits you.
1. Raw tea: the original taste
Raw tea, as the name suggests, refers to Pu'er tea that has not been artificially fermented. It retains the original flavor of the tea leaves and is full of vitality. The soup of raw tea is bright orange-yellow, fresh and pleasant, exuding the aroma of flowers and fruits. This tea is suitable for tea lovers who are looking for the original taste and like to challenge their taste buds.
1.1 Ecological and environmental impacts
The quality of raw tea is closely related to the growing environment. Generally speaking, raw tea is produced from the large-leaved tea trees in Yunnan, where the high mountains, humid climate and rich soil provide unique conditions for the growth of raw tea. The ecological environment between the mountains and wilderness affects the taste of raw tea, making it more distinctive.
1.2 Longer shelf life
Raw tea has a relatively long shelf life because it has not been fermented. With the passage of time, it will gradually undergo a qualitative change, and the tea quality will become more and more rounded and richer. This is one of the reasons why some tea lovers are fond of raw tea.
2. Ripe tea: mellow aged fragrance
Ripe tea is Pu'er tea that has been fermented by artificial piles. This process simulates the process of tea fermentation under natural conditions for a long time, so that the tea leaves go through the stage of fading the ajerky taste. The tea soup of ripe tea is dark in color, reddish-brown in color, and exudes a unique aged fragrance.
2.1 The importance of fermentation
The fermentation of ripe tea is a crucial step. Through the action of catalytic enzymes, the tannic acid in the tea can be decomposed, the jerky and grass green taste in the raw tea can be reduced, and the tea soup becomes more mellow and the sweet aftertaste is more durable.
2.2 Changes brought about by aging
Compared with raw tea, ripe tea has a shorter shelf life, but the aging process is more obvious. Over time, ripe tea will gradually undergo qualitative changes, and the tea soup will become thicker and more mellow. For tea lovers who are looking for an aged aroma, ripe tea may be more suitable.
3. How to choose: It varies from person to person
So, should you choose raw tea or cooked tea?In fact, there is no absolute answer to this question, because the choice of tea depends on the preference of personal taste.
3.1 Who is suitable for raw tea
I like a fresh, vibrant taste
Tea lovers who like to pursue the original flavor of tea;
Be willing to experiment with the process of tea quality changes over time.
3.2 Who is suitable for ripe tea
I like the rich and mellow taste of aging;
For the tea preservation period is more important;
Tea lovers who like to drink old tea and pay attention to sweetness.
Fourth, the beauty of tea, the key points of appreciation
Whether it is raw tea or cooked tea, it has its own uniqueness. When appreciating tea, we can start from the following aspects:
4.1 Appearance:
Whether the tea leaves are complete, whether the color is uniform, and whether there are exposed feet.
4.2 Aroma:
Smell the aroma of dry tea, the aroma of tea after soaking, and whether the aroma is pure.
4.3 Tea Soup:
Observe the color of the tea soup to see if it is clear or calm.
4.4 Leaf bottom:
Observe the state of the tea after unfolding, whether it is full or not.
5. Conclusion: Every piece of tea is a memory of a period of time
In this journey of exploring the secrets of tea culture, we found that raw tea and ripe tea have their own merits, each exuding a unique charm. Maybe you have a soft spot for one of the teas, or maybe you're willing to try different teas and taste the beauty of tea.
Whether it is the pursuit of primitive freshness or the love of aging, each piece of tea is a memory of a time, carrying the painstaking efforts of the tea plantation owner and the aura of the tea tree. Cherish every tea tasting and feel the spiritual journey brought by the fragrance of tea.
If you have more questions or experiences on the topic of Pu'er tea, raw tea and ripe tea, please leave a message in the comment area and share your tea ceremony experience with me. Tea is a ritual in life, let us taste the beauty of this life together.
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