Drinking tea is a lifelong journey.
As the years go by, more friends around me have started to embrace tea culture.
Some are passionate about buying tea, others stick to specific flavors.
Some enjoy drinking tea alone, while others love the communal experience of tea gatherings.
Seeing these friends reminds me of my early days of tea appreciation.
There are a few things I wish someone had told me back then.
[Understanding Tea Grades]
- Most tea used in bubble tea shops (except for those that grow their own leaves) consists of lower-grade tea, mixed with a certain proportion of Vietnamese tea, or, in worse cases, tea flavored with artificial additives.
- Supermarket tea is usually slightly better than bubble tea but still often lower-grade. These teas often use roasting techniques to mask their flaws, though large-scale production limits the extent of improvement.
- Tea shops typically offer a range of options: lower-grade, average, high-quality, and rare teas (though rare doesn’t always mean delicious). Navigating this variety requires years of tasting and proper guidance.
- If you can’t discern tea quality at all, consider it a blessing—it’s easier to feel satisfied.
[Brewing Techniques]
- Different teas require different water temperatures. Black tea calls for boiling water; oolong can handle boiling or slightly cooler water, while green tea needs even lower temperatures. Accurate temperature guidelines are widely available online.
- Brewing time is an art. It depends on factors such as the tea’s oxidation level, the tenderness of the leaves, aroma development, and the infusion count (e.g., first or second brew).
- The choice of brewing equipment matters, too:
- Clay teapots retain heat well, making them suitable for highly oxidized teas or mature leaves.
- Gaiwans (lidded cups) dissipate heat easily, ideal for less oxidized teas or tender leaves.
- If you know your tea well, even a simple mug can produce excellent results.
[Developing Tea Appreciation Skills]
- The tea world is similar to coffee and wine, with diverse origins and processing methods that can be overwhelming. In the beginning, don’t stress about identifying every flavor accurately. Simply drink what you like, do some research, and ask sellers for advice—they often provide helpful answers.
- After some time, if you wish to progress further, seek proper guidance. Find a good mentor or try flagship teas from international brands to understand what premium tea tastes like.
- Once you’ve gained some expertise, explore local tea shops and regional teas. You’ll find it easier to evaluate tea quality, recognize sales tactics, and score better teas at more reasonable prices.
Final Thoughts
These insights are shared to encourage a relaxed approach to learning about tea. The most important aspects are to enjoy the experience, feel comfortable, and stay healthy while drinking tea.
After all, tea is a lifelong pursuit.
Cloudy Valley, Formosa tea 
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