Huang Jianzhang, Deputy Director of the Tea Research Center and researcher of Zhang Tianfu Tea Academy, pointed out that the art of Tieguanyin tea tasting mainly focuses on seven aspects: observing its shape, appreciating its beauty, experiencing the process, expressing its meaning, smelling its aroma, savoring its taste, and comprehending its true charm.
"Observing its shape" refers to "observing the appearance, color, and form." Tieguanyin finished tea is heavy like iron, with a green-brown color showing sand green, known as "treasure color" or three-section color.
"Appreciating its beauty" refers to "formal beauty." Tieguanyin tea has tightly rolled, elegant strips, often described as "beautiful as Guanyin." After brewing, the leaves are green with red edges, earning it the name "green belly with red borders."
"Experiencing the process" refers to "the art of brewing," requiring proficiency in the three key elements of brewing Anxi tea and mastery of its brewing skills.
"Expressing its meaning" refers to "its connotations," such as Tieguanyin's "green leaves with red borders," "seven infusions with lingering fragrance," and "heavy as iron, beautiful as Guanyin."
"Smelling its aroma" refers to "nasal fragrance." The aroma of Tieguanyin is clear, rich, and fragrant, with a natural orchid scent. A high and long-lasting fragrance indicates a good tea.
"Savoring its taste" refers to "tasting the flavor." Tieguanyin tea has a rich, smooth flavor with a "honey-sweet aroma," combining the sweetness of black tea and the freshness of green tea.
"Comprehending its true charm" refers to "Guanyin韵 (charm)." The so-called "Guanyin韵" requires some explanation. Taking the supreme Tieguanyin tea king as an example, its aroma is rich and enduring, with a special "Guanyin韵," unique orchid fragrance, full-bodied sweet and fresh taste, good throat feel, and long-lasting aftertaste. Even after seven infusions, it still retains its fragrance.
The true Tieguanyin tea king has a strong and distinctive aroma, with a rich and lasting orchid fragrance, slightly resembling white osmanthus. Its flavor is rich and mellow, slightly carrying a natural ginseng wine taste. After tasting, it leaves a lingering fragrance in the mouth and a sweet aftertaste in the throat. "Aroma with taste, taste with aroma," refreshing and invigorating, even after ten infusions, it still retains the original white osmanthus fragrance. This is truly the finest tea in the world.