ChnTeas - tasting progression
type: channel
link: https://chnteas.org/tag/tasting-progression/
items: Should Beginners Drink Ancient Tree Tea? - The Truth About "Gushu" from a Site Owner

Should Beginners Drink Ancient Tree Tea? - The Truth About "Gushu" from a Site Owner
type: item
date: 2026-02-11T17:15:38+00:00
description: Tea friends, this is the Site Owner. In recent years, "Ancient Tree Tea" (Gushu) has spread from the Pu-erh circle to the entire Chinese tea world. Almost every new tea drinker asks me: "Do I have to drink Gushu to truly begin?" "Is plantation tea really undrinkable?"Today, let's shatter this misconception completely. My conclusion might upset some vendors, but for the sake of your wallet and your tea journey, I must be honest: Beginners who buy Gushu will regret it nine times out of ten.1. The "Pedestal" and the "Pitfalls" of Ancient Tree TeaFirst, let's be objective: Ancient tree tea does have genuine merits.The Real Value of Gushu:Ecological advantage: Trees over a century old have deep root systems that absorb minerals from deep soil layers, resulting in richer inner substance.Flavor profile: Better balance of taste, astringency transforms easily, lasting Hui Gan and Sheng Jin, and the liquor is generally more delicate with deeper throat feel compared to plantation tea of the same age.Aging potential: Solid foundation, greater transformation potential over time.However, these values have a prerequisite — what you drink must be authentic Gushu, properly processed, and reasonably priced. The reality is:Extremely low yield: Ancient tree tea accounts for only 3%-5% of Yunnan's total Pu-erh output, yet products labeled "Gushu" occupy half the market.Inflated pricing is the norm: Prices range from tens to tens of thousands of yuan per kilogram, and ordinary consumers simply cannot tell.High tasting threshold: The "delicacy," "throat feel," and "cooling sensation" of top-tier Gushu require considerable tasting experience to perceive.Site Owner's Maxim: Gushu is not a智商税, but blindly chasing Gushu is most likely paying that tax.2. Why Can't Beginners Taste the Value of Gushu?This isn't meant to discourage you; it's physiological reality. Developing tasting ability, like learning a musical instrument or painting, requires ample sample accumulation.Lack of a flavor refere…