Pu-erh Tea Article - Detecting Bad Pu-erh Tea (3)	Page 1 | 2 | 3

Common characteristics found in the taste of bad Pu-erh tea are moldy, rotten, fishy, pungent, chemically inclined flavors mixed with many off notes.

TASTE - While studying the appearance and smell of a Pu-erh tea will get you so far it is the taste that truly validates the quality of the Pu-erh tea you have in front of you. A skilled artist can duplicate the appearance of an aged Pu-erh tea down to the finest detail. At the same time many young cheap teacakes that are churned out from a mass production line of substandard factory outlets can appear and smell exactly like a premium Pu-erh teacake. However, when it comes to taste, a complex area that no one has been able to duplicate, this remains the litmus test for authenticating the quality of a Pu-erh tea.

"Premium Pu-erh tea has enthralling flavors that is alluring and complex while possessing excellent clarity and a depth of character that is warming to both the body and soul" PuerhCha