Tea liquor can be categorized by color, thickness, smoothness, astringency, and softness. Among these, color is the most readily observable characteristic and is used as the primary basis for the following classifications.
1. Green Tea
- Liquor Color: Light green or yellow-green, bright and clear.
- Characteristics: Fresh and translucent with a natural plant green hue; emphasizes smoothness and sweetness.
- Representative Teas: West Lake Longjing, Biluochun, Huangshan Maofeng.
2. Yellow Tea
- Liquor Color: Golden yellow or apricot yellow, bright and clear.
- Characteristics: Soft yellow tones with an elegant and mellow flavor.
- Representative Teas: Junshan Yinzhen, Huoshan Huangya, Mengding Huangya.
3. White Tea
- Liquor Color: Pale yellow or light apricot, clear and bright.
- Characteristics: Gentle and refreshing tones with a sweet and brisk taste.
- Representative Teas: Baihao Yinzhen, Bai Mudan, Shoumei.
4. Oolong Tea (Semi-Oxidized Tea)
- Liquor Color: Golden yellow, amber, or orange-yellow.
- Characteristics: Varies in depth depending on oxidation level; dazzling hue with rich aroma. High-altitude teas tend to be smoother due to higher content of pectin-like substances.
- Representative Teas: High Mountain Oolong, Tieguanyin, Oriental Beauty.
5. Black Tea
- Liquor Color: Red-orange or reddish-brown, bright and lucid.
- Characteristics: Warm red tones with a rich, sweet flavor. Teas made from large-leaf varieties often have stronger astringency, while small-leaf varieties are milder.
- Representative Teas: Keemun Black Tea, Darjeeling Black Tea, Assam Black Tea.
6. Dark Tea (Post-Fermented Tea)
- Liquor Color: Deep red, reddish-brown, or nearly black.
- Characteristics: Dark and rich tones, accompanied by aged aromas; the taste is mellow and smooth.
- Representative Teas: Ripe Pu’er Tea, Liu Bao Tea, Fu Brick Tea.
7. Floral Tea
- Liquor Color: Varies depending on the base tea, often yellow-green or golden yellow.
- Characteristics: Combines tea liquor hues with aromatic floral notes, creating a fragrant experience.
- Representative Teas: Jasmine Tea, Osmanthus Oolong, Rose Black Tea.
Factors Influencing Tea Liquor Color
- Degree of Oxidation
- Higher oxidation levels result in darker liquor colors.
- Processing Techniques
- Techniques such as roasting and rolling directly affect liquor color.
- Brewing Conditions
- Water temperature, brewing time, and tea-to-water ratio all influence liquor color.
- Tea Quality
- High-quality teas produce brighter and clearer liquor, while lower-quality teas may result in dull or cloudy liquor.
Tea liquor color serves as an essential indicator of tea quality and brewing efficacy. It is also a key aesthetic element in tea artistry and presentation.
Cloudy Valley, Formosa tea 
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