1. Determine Your Flavor Preferences
Before selecting tea, beginners should first identify their flavor preferences. With a wide variety of tea types available, the taste can vary significantly. Here are the characteristics of some common tea types to help new tea drinkers choose:
Green Tea: Green tea has a fresh, natural taste, perfect for those who enjoy a light, crisp flavor. It has a bright, clear liquor and an inviting aroma, ideal for morning or afternoon drinking.
- Recommended varieties: Longjing (Dragon Well), Biluochun, Huangshan Mao Feng
Black Tea: Black tea has a stronger, richer taste with a sweet finish, suited for those who enjoy a bold, full-bodied flavor. The liquor is deep red and is perfect for pairing with meals or enjoying during afternoon tea.
- Recommended varieties: Keemun, Darjeeling
Oolong Tea: Oolong tea is a partially fermented tea, offering a flavor profile between green tea and black tea. It is aromatic and robust, ideal for those who enjoy a more complex, layered flavor.
- Recommended varieties: Tie Guan Yin, Da Hong Pao, Taiwan High Mountain Tea
White Tea: White tea is relatively mild, with a smooth, subtle flavor and a natural sweetness. It's perfect for beginners who are new to tea.
- Recommended varieties: Bai Hao Yin Zhen (Silver Needle), Shou Mei
2. Consider Tea Preparation Methods
Different tea types require different brewing methods. Beginners can consider how easy it is to prepare the tea before making a choice. Here are some tea types that are easy to prepare and difficult to mess up:
Tea Bags: Ideal for busy lifestyles, simply steep the tea bag in hot water without needing to master complex brewing techniques.
- Recommended brands: Lipton, Zhang Yiyuan
Loose Leaf Tea: Suitable for beginners with some interest in tea, it allows a better experience in tea brewing. Loose leaf teas that are easy to brew are a good starting point.
- Recommended varieties: Green Tea (like Longjing, Biluochun), Black Tea (like Keemun)
3. Tips for Buying Tea
- Choose Reliable Brands: For beginners, it's essential to select well-known tea brands with good reputations. Reputable brands usually ensure stable quality and prevent the purchase of poor-quality tea.
- Buy Fresh Tea: Tea is sensitive to moisture, so it's advisable to purchase freshly produced tea to avoid expired or improperly stored tea.
- Choose Suitable Packaging: Opt for small packaging or loose leaf tea, as it allows flexibility in purchase quantities without wastage.
4. Conclusion
For beginners, when buying tea for the first time, it's best to choose a fresh, easy-to-brew tea with a flavor that suits their preferences. Green tea, black tea, and white tea are all good starting points, with green and white teas being lighter in flavor, making them suitable for most beginners. Remember to consider personal taste preferences, ease of brewing, and the freshness of the tea when making your selection.
