How Is Pu-erh Tea Classified?

The classification of Pu-erh tea is: specification classification, fermentation process classification, preparation method classification, storage method classification, raw material classification, grade classification, etc.

Classified By Specification

Primary raw tea is divided into three specifications: spring, summer and autumn. Spring tea is divided into three grades: beginning of spring, middle of spring, and end of spring. Summer tea is also called Ershui; autumn tea is called Guhua tea. Among the Pu-erh teas, beginning of spring and Guhua are the best in quality.

Classified By Fermentation Process

1. Raw tea is fresh tea leaves that are picked and aged in a natural way without fermenting. Raw tea is strong and stimulating. Freshly made or aged tea has a strong bitter taste, and the soup color is lighter or yellow-green.

2. Ripe tea is fermented to make the tea milder. Ripe tea has milder tea properties. The tea is silky and smooth, with a rich aroma, which is more suitable for daily drinking.

Classification By Manufacturing Method

1. Raw tea: Pu-erh tea (raw tea) is made from the fresh leaves of Yunnan big-leaf tea trees grown under the environmental conditions of the Pu-erh tea production area. Loose tea and pressed tea. Its quality characteristics are: dark green appearance, pure and long-lasting aroma, clear green-yellow soup, thick yellow-green leaf bottom.

2. Ripe tea: Pu-erh tea (ripe tea) is loose tea and pressed tea made from large-leaf sun-dried green tea from Yunnan that conforms to the environmental conditions of the Pu-erh tea production area. Its quality characteristics are as follows: the soup is bright red, the aroma is unique and fragrant, and the bottom of the leaves is evenly reddish brown.

Classified By Storage Method

Dry warehouse Pu'erh Tea: Stored in a ventilated, dry and clean warehouse, allowing the tea to ferment naturally, preferably aged for 10-20 years.

Wet warehouse Pu'erh Tea: Usually placed in a relatively humid place, such as a basement or cellar, to speed up its fermentation. Because it is prone to mildew, it is not good for human health.

Classified By Raw Material

Different raw materials are used for making Pu-erh tea, so the quality is also different, and the price is even more disparate.

1. Artificially planted raw materials.

The artificial planting type, There is no proper accumulation period for tea quality., the cost is low.

2. Original ecological arbor tree-type raw materials which is from pure material called "ancient tree tea". Generally, only 300 years can be strictly regarded as "ancient tree tea", High-yield, ancient tree tea has limited raw materials, and the market price is relatively high. But its unique inner quality can better reflect the "tea culture" of Pu'er tea.

Classified By Grade

Pu-erh tea can be graded according to high, medium and low grades. When picking tea leaves, the leaves and buds are picked at the same time, When grading, there are more buds in the higher grades, and more leaves and stems in the lower grades.

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