Hello, I'm Tea Lover Andy.
Have you ever experienced this: the tea you tasted in the shop doesn't taste the same when you brew it at home?
Setting aside the possibility of dishonest merchants, let me share the real reasons behind this difference.
Ten Factors That Influence Tea Flavor
1. Different Water Quality
Water quality is a key factor affecting tea flavor.
Different regions have varying water hardness and mineral content.
Even with the same tea leaves, brewing with different water produces noticeably different flavors.
For example, southern Taiwan has harder water, and using tap water directly can easily make tea taste bitter and astringent.
Tea shops may use treated soft water, mineral water, or spring water,
while at home you might use unfiltered tap water or reverse osmosis purified water.
This is the first reason for the taste difference.
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2. Different Teaware Materials
The material of your teapot or teacup directly affects how the tea tastes.
Porcelain has small pores and good heat dissipation, presenting the delicate fragrance of tea;
Pottery has better breathability, bringing out the natural sweetness and body of the tea.
Yixing clay pots, porcelain pots, and glass pots each have their own characteristics.
The same tea brewed in different materials will taste different.
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3. Different Teaware Shapes
The shape of the vessel also affects how the tea presents.
Tall teapots, round teapots, gaiwans, mugs, and large kettles—
due to differences in volume and shape, they affect how tea leaves unfold in water,
temperature retention, and the rate at which tea concentration is released, ultimately presenting different flavors.
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4. Different Amount of Tea Leaves Used
The amount of tea used is a direct factor controlling tea concentration.
When tasting tea in the shop, the staff may brew according to standard proportions,
but at home you might eyeball the amount.
Slight differences in quantity will cause noticeable differences in tea concentration.
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5. Different Water Temperature
Water temperature has a very significant impact on tea.
Different tea types need different water temperatures to extract optimal flavor.
Even with the same tea, a 10-degree difference in water temperature
can turn a mellow tea bitter or make a fragrant tea taste flat.
The Temperature of the Water is Crucial When Brewing Tea.
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6. Whether a Warming Rinse Was Performed
This is a small brewing technique. If tea leaves undergo a warming rinse,
the tea will taste more full-bodied and flavorful compared to without the rinse.
Many people think the warming rinse is for washing tea, but it actually allows the leaves to absorb water.
After quickly letting the tea leaves absorb hot water, remove the water, then make the first proper infusion.
This way the tea flavor can be fully expressed.
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7. Different Maturity Levels of Tea Leaves Used
Oolong tea leaves vary in size depending on their maturity level.
In the same package, younger leaves are usually smaller and more compact,
while older leaves are larger and looser.
Each time you take tea, if the proportion of maturity levels differs,
the brewed tea will naturally taste different.
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8. Different Batch from the Tea Tasted vs. Tea Purchased
Even for the same tea from the same farmer, same origin, and same tea master,
there may be slight differences between batches.
Tea is an agricultural product, affected by multiple factors such as weather, picking time, and processing techniques.
Each batch may have slightly different flavors.
The tea you tasted in the shop might be Batch A, while what you purchased might be Batch B.
9. The Shop's Tea Has Been Open for Some Time
After opening the sealed packaging, tea leaves absorb moisture from the air, a process called "re-moisturizing."
Re-moisturized tea has a fuller, rounder aroma and taste than freshly opened tea.
The tea you tasted in the shop may have been open for some time,
while what you bought home is newly sealed, so the flavors naturally differ.
10. Different Environment Affects Mood
The environment and atmosphere for tea tasting also influence our perception of the tea.
In the relaxed atmosphere of the tea shop, with professional staff brewing and explaining, spatial presentation, temperature, humidity, and ambient scent; when you return home, you might brew tea in a rush, with a different mood and environment, naturally affecting your perception of the tea's flavor.
Conclusion
Next time you find that the tea you bought home tastes different from what you tasted in the shop,
try examining these ten factors one by one.
Adjust water quality, teaware, tea amount, water temperature, and other variables,
and gradually find the most suitable brewing method for this tea. You can definitely recreate the tasting experience at home.
That's all for today's sharing.
I hope this helps you.
See you next time.
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