How to Describe Tea: A Practical Guide for Tea Lovers

by John Hou

When shopping for tea, you may often see words such as smooth, mellow, thick, or returning sweetness. These terms are not marketing tricks—they are part of a long-established language used by tea drinkers to describe how a tea looks, smells, tastes, and feels.

This guide explains the most commonly used tea description terms, including both positive characteristics and less desirable traits, helping you better understand our tasting notes and choose teas that suit your personal preference.

 

 

1. Dry Leaf Appearance: What Tea Looks Like Before Brewing

Before brewing, the dry leaves already give clues about the tea.

Common positive descriptions

  • Tight and well-formed leaves

  • Neat and even appearance

  • Plump leaves with visible buds

  • Glossy surface and clear leaf definition

  • Well-shaped or properly pressed cakes (for puerh)

Less ideal signs

  • Excessive broken leaves

  • Dull or overly dry appearance

  • Uneven or careless pressing

Appearance alone does not determine quality, but it offers a useful first impression.

 

 

2. Liquor Color: Clarity in the Cup

Once brewed, the tea liquor reflects both processing and storage.

Desirable liquor traits

  • Clear and bright

  • Transparent and lively

  • Golden yellow, amber, or deep red tones

  • Rich color without cloudiness

Less desirable traits

  • Dull or muddy appearance

  • Cloudy liquor caused by poor processing or storage

A good tea usually looks alive in the cup.

 

 

3. Aroma: The First Sensory Experience

Aroma is one of the most important parts of tea appreciation.

Common positive aromas

  • Clean and pure

  • Floral or fruity

  • Honey-like sweetness

  • Woody or camphor notes (aged teas)

  • Earthy but clean (especially ripe puerh)

  • Warm and comforting scents

Weaker or negative aromas

  • Flat or faint aroma

  • Stale or dusty notes

  • Sour or overly sharp smells

Good aroma should feel natural and balanced.

 

 

4. Taste & Mouthfeel: Texture Matters

Taste is not only about flavor—it’s also about texture.

Desirable mouthfeel

  • Smooth and mellow

  • Full-bodied and thick

  • Silky or slightly viscous

  • Rich yet balanced

Taste components

  • Gentle sweetness

  • Structured bitterness

  • Light to moderate astringency

Less desirable traits

  • Thin or watery texture

  • Harsh bitterness

  • Dry or aggressive astringency

Quality tea balances strength and softness.

 

 

5. Aftertaste & Sensation: What Lingers

Great tea continues to unfold after swallowing.

Positive sensations

  • Returning sweetness (hui gan)

  • Saliva production

  • Clear throat sensation

  • Long-lasting finish

  • Flavor evolution across infusions

  • Gentle warming tea energy (cha qi)

Weaker sensations

  • Short or disappearing aftertaste

  • Dry throat

  • One-dimensional flavor

The aftertaste often defines the true quality of a tea.

 

 

6. Overall Balance & Structure

When all elements come together, we evaluate the tea as a whole.

Strong overall qualities

  • Well-balanced and harmonious

  • Clean and consistent

  • Good structure and depth

  • Layered complexity

  • Good infusion endurance

  • Aging potential (for suitable teas)

Common weaknesses

  • Imbalanced profile

  • Flat or monotonous character

  • Lack of depth

A good tea feels composed and complete.

 

 

7. Common Tasting Phrases You’ll See in Our Store

You may often see descriptions like:

  • “Clean and bright liquor with good clarity”

  • “Smooth and mellow mouthfeel with thickness”

  • “Bitterness and astringency are well balanced”

  • “Sweetness returns quickly with a lingering finish”

  • “Flavor evolves nicely over multiple infusions”

These phrases help communicate complex experiences clearly.

 

 

8. Tea Description Is About Understanding, Not Judgment

Describing tea is not about labeling teas as “good” or “bad.”

It is about understanding character, structure, and personal preference.

Some teas are soft and gentle.

Others are bold and powerful.

Each has its own place and moment.

 

 

Final Thoughts

Learning how to describe tea helps you connect more deeply with what you drink. The better you understand tea language, the easier it becomes to choose teas that truly suit your taste.

At KingTeaMall, we aim to describe each tea as clearly and honestly as possible—so you can enjoy tea with confidence and pleasure.

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