5 Ways to Judge Quality in Tea
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 พ.ค. 2018
- As the buyer for Mei Leaf, I have to taste hundreds of teas each year and try to quickly assess the quality of the tea. Of course, quality assessments are personal but here are some of my insider tips on the key quality markers which I recommend you use to judge quality.
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Video about Beijing Tea Markets: • Visiting a Beijing Tea...
Video about Slurping: • Tea Tasting: to slurp ...
Video about Astringency: • Tea Masterclass: Astri...
White Gaiwans: meileaf.com/p/cl-gwkt and meileaf.com/p/cl-gwsl
Superior Keemun: meileaf.com/p/tea-qmmc
Duck Sh*t Oolong: meileaf.com/p/tea-ducc
Superior Iron Goddess: meileaf.com/p/tea-sgoc
White Tea: meileaf.com/teas/white/
Raw PuErh: meileaf.com/teas/raw-puerh/
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In this video, I compare the experience of tasting a tea to a date to give you my impressions of the value of each quality marker.
1. APPEARANCE OF THE LEAVES - ‘the Tinder Pic’
While the visual appearance of a tea can reveal a broad idea of its quality it can be deceptive and faked by producers. Do not be fooled by pretty tea - a lot of pretty tea is low quality and produced for appearance and some not so pretty looking tea may taste divine.
I advise seeking tea with the following:
- Whole instead of broken leaves
- Consistent colour palette
- Consistent shape
2. AROMA OF THE LEAVES - ‘the actual appearance’
Aroma is instinctive - are you attracted to this tea? Many people make the mistake of trying to judge a tea by the smell of the dry leaves. This is not going to give you a genuine idea of the quality of the tea and is akin to meeting your date in a very dark bar. So turn on the lights or get out in the sunshine to really see each other. For tea, you do this by hydrating the leaves and is one of the great advantages of rinsing the tea in Gong Fu brewing. You should be searching for:
- Depth & complex aroma
- A balance of bright and deep aromas
- Long lasting aroma even after the initial heat and after multiple infusions
3. TASTE & AROMA OF LIQUOR - ‘the conversation’
While your date might look attractive, the conversation is going to make or break the experience. In the same way, the taste and aroma of the tea liquor is the essential interaction which will make or break your appreciation of the tea.
Exactly like a conversation, the taste and aroma should be enjoyable, interesting and maybe a bit challenging in order to be satisfying. It should have a balance of lightness and depth and should match your personal tastes. So, try to find teas that speak to you through:
- Clear and rich in character
- A balance of light and deep flavours
- Personally enjoyable taste with maybe some challenging aromas
4. MOUTHFEEL - ‘the physical experience’
This is probably the most important of all the markers as it relates to the quality of the leaves. It cannot be faked - much like the physical experience of any relationship.
You are searching for a tea which has a distinct and enjoyable physical experience and I look for:
- A texture which is thicker than water
- Balanced astringency
- Lingering mouth sensation which might be transforming from dry to juicy and tingly
5. LENGTH & FINISH - ‘the day after’
The days after a date, how does that person affect you? Are they easily and quickly forgotten or does their charm persist in your memory?
A hugely important quality marker is the memory of the tea and how long it lasts after swallowing. A great tea has a lingering and transforming taste in the mouth which reveals the depth of character in the leaves and often gives an idea of how many infusions you can get out of the tea.
Search for teas which have:
- Lingering aromas
- Transforming taste
- Fleeting but not persistent bitterness
Use these tips to find your perfect partner (tea of course).
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1. Appearance (*possibly deceptive):
+ Whole leaf i.e. unbroken
+ consistency of shape and colour
2. Aroma of leaves (when wet with hot water)
+ Depth and complexity
+ Balance and range of aromas
+ Long-lasting aroma
3. Taste and aroma of liquor
+ Clear character
+ Balanced and range
+ Personally enjoyable
4. Mouth-feel and body (most important)
+ Texture thicker than water
+ Slight astringency
+ Lingering sensation
5. Length and finish (also important)
+ Persistence
+ Enjoyable Aftertastes
I appreciate the length of your videos. The time you take allows for a through coverage of the topic and I feel like I got a quality tutorial at a nice humane pace. Thank you!
I’d like to move to London just so I could work at Mei Leaf.
me too man
I can’t tell you how grateful I am for all this amazing information. Thanks for everything you do, Don!
Hi Don, Thanks for yet another great masterclass! Once again I learned quite a lot and it is always a joy to see and hear you talk so passionately about teas. Keep making these video’s, please!
first: that pu'erh move was clever.
second: your videos have really helped me to re-ignite my appreciation of teas. Thanks for putting so much time and energy into this channel!
I'm so glad I found your channel and website. I really trust your products because of your passion for teaching us all you know.
This was a wonderful tutorial! I feel like I'm going to be experiencing tea in a whole new way! Thanks!
This was very helpful. I'm still afraid I won't be able to assess the quality of tea well enough, so I just buy from you guys. Maybe one day I'll branch out a bit more. Wonderful video always.
i've always adored tea and i never really knew the world of tea that's out there just waiting to be discovered. If it wasn't for this youtube channel maybe i would have never come across how much there is just waiting to be explored!! Thank you Mei Leaf!! Can't wait for my first loose leaf order!! From novice to Gong Fu tea master HERE WE GO!!
So exciting, I’ve been hoping you’d do a video like this!!
Don, I loved this video! Thank you for the lesson. I visited MeiLeaf in December when visiting family in London. It will be a destination every time I go back.
Really nice analogy. Love these kinds of explanations.
I agree. I really appreciate the way he articulates his points and perspective. It's great.
Was a pleasure to watch you gush about tea, thank you for the video
Great channel! Like the quality that goes into them.
I really enjoy your videos, they are very informative. Thanks for turning me on to Gong Fu style brewing. It is the only way to really taste and appreciate teas.
Love this video. Fun and informative. There is so much tea available now, its hard to know what's good and what's bad. I now have a much better idea. Really helpful. Cheers!
You just blew my mind, Don... wow. I hope to have the senses you have. With the PuErh, you were SPOT ON!
You are true master! Hats off!
What you said about those more unusual characteristics of a tea that make it more interesting, but initially less "good" tasting is sooo true. So many times I try a tea for the first time and I don't really like it. Sometimes, I don't even like it the second time. But, then I will pick up the tea maybe a few weeks or a month later and be like WOW how did I miss that the other times I've had this tea. This is amazing! One example of this is with one of your raw puers. For quite a while I thought the astringency was a bit too much. But, one day I picked up the tea and boy did that astringency give the tea so much character and complexity that I absolutely loved. I don't know if it was because I was new to tea back then so I just wasn't used to the astringency or if it just takes time for me to get to know a tea. Also, one of my favorite parts about having good quality tea is that hours after drinking it and even after having full blown meals, the lingering taste of the minerals from the tea that coat your mouth are still there.
I have some high quality Qing Xiang atm from a local tea shop as well as some cheap Tieguanyin （云顶铁观音？）I got from a local Chinese supermarket. I absolutely love the buttery notes and floral aromatics of the Qingxiang, it’s very satisfying, but I also love the craziness and pungency going on in the cheap tea. Lots of very bold and interesting stuff going on in there, butter notes, sour notes, but also somewhat floral? Idk it’s very pleasant imo and I love it lolololo
Another great, informative Masterclass! Thank you Don & Celine. These videos really turn on my tea nerdiness and add to my tea education!
Hey Dom. Really articulate yet understandable and usable guide. How about a video on "How to keep a tea tasting journal."? Be great to have a summary of what to look for and include. You've obviously covered many of these points on other videos already, but it would be helpful to correlate them all in a single video for novices like me. Thank you. Keep doing what you're doing. It was your obvious enthusiasm that got me and many others interested.
thanks you mei leif from canada i discovered your channel and started gong fu brewing and tasting and i think im gonna switch to tea drinking less wine smoking less cigars and tasting good quality tea whitout your channel i would have not discovered quality gong fu thank you
A very nice insight into the way you assess human relationships as well
Thank you for the great videos.
Simply awesome thanks
I love this channel Don and everyone at mei is amazinf
This analogy is hilarious considering it comes on the heels of the royal wedding xD I wish I'd seen this video last night instead of today, cuz I went to a tea shop. I couldn't explain why I liked one tea over the others, I could only say "it tastes different." There were all sorts of floral notes I didn't recognize the name of. Lol, next time it'll be better I guess.
Mate, I LOVE your work, honestly, but most of the time, I just can't afford watching a 40 minutes video because of all the work I have to do for my studies...
I don't think I'm the only one in this situation and I really think that a shorter format of video (not necessarily in replacement but maybe in addition of what you're already doing) would be much appriciated and will attract more tea lovers on your channel.
Cheers from Switzerland (the French part, sorry ^^) !
PS : If one day you want to open a tea shop in your native country, I'll be your number one client ! Without these crazy import and border fees (thanks Switzerland) it would already be the case. ;)
Yes I know, trying to find the time to make or edit more videos is a bit challenging but thanks for the feedback.
I actually love how long it is, you don't have to watch it all at once right? :) And this way we can get more in depth knowledge about complex topics like astringency, etc. Of course you could make it a 1 min video and simply give us a list but this is so much more fun to watch :)
As a counter opinion, I like the longer format, especially when there's a summary in the description. I watch almost all of the videos on 1.25x or 1.5x speed so that it feels fast paced, but also not rushed or over-edited like many TH-cam videos.
As a loser with plenty of time to watch youtube, I just want to raise my hand here and say I don't mind ... >.>
Mei Leaf Please keep them as long as they are! Don't give in to the current climate of fast-paced, unnuanced videos.
I love this channel especially because of the long, in-depth videos and calm atmosphere. They are so incredibly valuable and informative. I'd hate to see your channel turn into one of those V-sauce/sci-show/buzzfeedy channels.
A calm and elaborate format simply suits tea very well.
Thanks for this
Thanks so much for these wonderful videos! A small hopefully helpful comment. I've noticed in several videos that the picture of the tea leaves is much clearer when the cup is down instead of being held. Many times I simple have not been able to get clearly what you are talking about in appearance when you hold them out.
“Fragrance and aroma only reveal themselves after you’ve swallowed’ 36:44
I’m gonna try that line at my next date
Supper demonstration
You should do a video comparing the same tea harvested in different seasons (e.g. a spring picked vs. a winter picked Da Wu Ye; or a spring vs autumn Tie Guan Yin. It would be interesting to hear your take.
Hi Don, thanks for doing this video. When are you opening a US shop? I just purchased a dozen sampler packets from you, but I'd love to be able to purchase more without paying international shipping!
Aah we would love to but perhaps the best thing is to get a warehouse over there. I need to find a US partner to assist us.
I'd love to see your product stateside.
What does it take to be your partner!!
At what point does a wild notion like "I could do that" become a serious business inquiry?
I agree with Dan, as I am in a similar position. Thanks.
Very nice, good sensory ❤️
I totally thought 'Length & Finish' in the Tinder analogy would be someone's performance in bed.
Dry to juicy finish hahaha
I like when it’s tick in my mouth.
Merci !
On my bucket list is having gong fu oolong brewing with both of you.... that would make my life!!!!!
Hey Don, thanks for doing this masterclass. What’s your opinion of stalks or stems in tea? Some people say they are not good for the flavour other say they give a stronger body and a sweeter taste.
What would you say? Are stems a quality marker?
Thank you for your answer!
As a general rule I prefer low to no stalks although I do not see it as a hugely negative quality marker and it can change the balance of the taste in a positive way especially for raw PuErh as it can add some sweetness without adding astringency.
Hi Don.. excellent video. Quick question: Is a tea only best assessed by the first brew? Or do some teas open up to show their best in subsequent brews?
Usually you know the character of a tea most by brews 2 and 3
Hi, can you recommend me best quality/type commercial black tea that I can have everyday with breakfast or afternoon relax? not asking for particulary brand but for tea type. I love teas and I just wonder which one is best in your opinion
very good video
Hey Don, seen many of your videos. Thanks for the tea education. I've recently started gong fu brewing. What type of kettle is that? Looking to grab a goose neck
Check out our kettle reviews. We are mostly using the Bonavita gooseneck
i hate watching these videos at night because it makes me want to drink tea so bad but i know i just wont be able to sleep from caffeine :/
Hi - You have probably answered this before, but I cannot find a mention of it in your videos. Why do you rinse off the leaves before steeping? Is it to wash off dust? I think I heard the word "bitter". It seems like you would be wasting some of the tea goodness by diluting the taste of the tea. I just ran across your videos yesterday and find them very informative :)
Here you go! th-cam.com/video/i28odG-O5us/w-d-xo.html
whoever came up with duckshit oolong is a god lmao
After he explained how '3' was like first base I got Cher's 'The Shoop Shoop Song' in my head.
This is correct. Some high quality tea might be sold cheaper. It depends on the demand, the weather, and how many tea leaves are available at the time.
In the west, higher price will be most likely high quality as well because westerners are well known as capitalists. They buy cheap from the east, then sell high in the west to western people who don't know anything about tea quality.
hi Don!
How do i judge the qualitea ?
Maybe one day i'll be able to afford tea more expensive than 10 cents per gram...
I just want to say in my experience the highest quality tea may not be the best tasting tea. It’s all personal preference. However the higher quality tea usually does contain more significant flavor notes.
That's what I meant at the beginning when I said that ultimately high quality is about taste.
welp im just binging through your content dont mind me
Recently I've got a Pu-erh cake that was literally a brick made up by at least 80% of tea powder. But since I enjoy pretty bad tea, it was good by my standards. lol
Tea time
Sorry what was the tea at 14.30? I was in stitches 😂
Duck shit Oolong 😁
@@MeiLeaf Omg 😯🙊🦆 Lol
You enjoyed the royal wedding?
I was busy editing this video!
The tips start at the ~5 minute mark
what ever happened tea must have tea tast. if you don't known original tea teast you can't know the difference.
threre are tea which has no tea test.
but they sell it expensive here in Greece.
so you mean my 5 dollar can of jasmine green tea isn't high quality??
sir i m frm india some help me plzz
Manish Kumar need what is?
凤小 i want to startup for tea how to choice best or good quality tea how to chek u have source of contact then ppzz give or suggest me how strt plzzz it is humble reqst
Manish Kumar Do not know tea farmer best quality tea . I know tea is good I like it. China there so many teas Is hard to taste and smell the best tea. I watch other tea lover video for me to learn other thinking too see their thoughts for good tea.
@@MANISHKUMAR-ux9xh manish u can contact me in shreemaanav@gmail.com for supply n business.
"Murky atmosphere" LOL!!! I never want to be in such a place, never mind when meeting a strange man. Very happy not to be single or to be smelling nasty tea!
14:30 dog shit
Duck Shit Dancong?
why you make it so long video..are you a boaring person... 5 tipes makes it 5 line as simple as that