1. High-grade raw materials do not necessarily mean high-quality
The grading of Pu’er tea is to distinguish the quality of raw materials, not to directly classify the quality of tea products.
That is, high-grade raw materials do not represent high-quality Pu-erh tea.
Take the classic 88 green cake as an example. The raw material of 88 green cake is grade 4 instead of special grade. It can also be proved that the classification of raw material grades is not directly equivalent to the classification of tea quality.
2. The essence of different levels
The essence of different grades of Pu’er raw materials is the difference in the content of substances contained in the raw materials.
According to the “《Puer Tea Science Foundation Research Achievements Monograph》”, the determination results of six main taste substances and functional substances including tea polyphenols, catechins, flavonoids, theaflavins, and thearubigins:
From the highest special grade to the tenth grade tea green, only the content of two substances such as tea polyphenols gradually decreases from the special grade to the tenth grade. However, the contents of catechins, flavonoids, theaflavins, and thearubigins increased step by step.
High-grade raw materials are rich in substances, the tea soup is soft and fragrant. Lower-grade raw materials make the tea soup clear and sweet. This is also the reason why some classic tea products are blended with different grades of raw materials.
3. High quality is the coordination and unity of raw materials, technology and storage
Generally speaking, the key to determining the quality of Pu-erh tea lies in raw materials, technology and storage. Only good raw materials, good craftsmanship and storage can make the finished product present a balanced and coordinated taste. A more layered and diverse rich flavor emerges.
To sum up, raw materials of different grades of Pu-erh tea have their own characteristics in terms of content, taste and taste, and later transformation. The level of raw materials does not mean the quality of tea.
In the long run, truly high-quality tea is the coordination and unity of raw materials, craftsmanship, and storage, all of which are indispensable.
