Oolong tea and pu-erh tea are two very popular types of tea in the Chinese tea market. Each of them has its own unique characteristics, taste and production process, which has attracted the love of many tea lovers.

What is the difference between oolong tea and Pu'er tea?

"The older the more fragrant" is a few years ago when the Pu'er tea market was launched, and when it became more and more popular, some tea people summarized a market-oriented concept for the quality characteristics of Pu'er tea, which refers to the earth-shaking changes in the inner quality of Pu'er tea after a few years of aging, showing a more wonderful taste and taste. Oolong tea and Pu'er tea are two popular Chinese teas, each with its own unique characteristics and flavors.

1. The older the more fragrant it is

First of all, the "the older the more fragrant" here refers to the thicker and thicker the soup quality and deeper throat rhyme.

The mechanism of Pu'er tea is that microorganisms consume simple energy substances in tea, i.e., hydrolyzed tannins.

Microbial activity will chop the fiber chain at the bottom of the leaf, from which more water-soluble polysaccharides and free amino acids will be decomposed, which will increase the soup quality, throat rhyme and body feeling of Pu'er tea.

Therefore, the basis for the aging and fragrant tea is the energy substance in the tea, that is, hydrolyzed tannins.

2. The difference between oolong tea and Pu'er tea technology

In terms of process, the loss of hydrolyzed tannins in oolong tea is more than that of sun-dried green tea.

Oolong tea belongs to semi-fermented tea, and its process is: making green - finishing - kneading - roasting.

A large amount of oxidation occurred in the greening process before finishing, and a large amount of hydrolyzed tannins were lost in the fresh leaves, and the content of hydrolyzed tannins was further reduced by high-temperature roasting in the drying stage.

Compared with oolong tea, the standard process of sun-dried green tea will avoid the loss of hydrolyzed tannins as much as possible before finishing and in the drying stage.

3. "Huigan" in the narrow sense

Hydrolyzed tannins lead to sweetness, and the principle is that hydrolyzed tannins are gradually absorbed and hydrolyzed in the mouth to break down glucose.

This is "Huigan" in the narrow sense, and it is also the "Huigan" in Pu'er tea.

Due to the coexistence of bitter and sweet substances in oolong tea, the bitter and sweet sensations will be produced in contrast, but the above-mentioned "sweetness" reaction caused by hydrolyzed tannins is difficult to detect in oolong tea.

In contrast, when properly processed Pu-erh tea, the "sweetness" produced by hydrolyzed tannins is very common.

4. Does oolong tea have the ability to "get more fragrant the older it gets" in a narrow sense?

The quality of a tea changes through storage, and this change, people can subjectively think that it is good, and think that "the older it is, the more fragrant it is".

After aging, the irritation of oolong tea will decrease and the taste will become milder, but oolong tea does not have the potential of "the older it ages, the more fragrant it becomes", because this potential is related to the stock of hydrolyzed tannins.

Again, the narrow sense of "the older the more fragrant" means that the soup is getting thicker and thicker, and the throat rhyme is getting deeper and deeper.

There are significant differences between oolong tea and Pu'er tea in terms of production process, taste and efficacy. Oolong tea focuses on retaining the original aroma and taste of the tea leaves, which is refreshing and sweet, while Pu'er tea is given a stronger taste and unique aroma through the aging process.

To sum up, oolong tea and pu-erh tea each have their own unique characteristics and charm. Whether you prefer a refreshing and sweet taste or a tea with a strong earthy taste, you can choose the tea that suits you according to your personal taste. Whether you are enjoying the feast of taste brought by tea or pursuing the breadth and profundity of tea culture, oolong tea and pu-erh tea will bring you a different tea experience. Why not try a cup and feel and appreciate the unique flavor of these two teas?