Montding Ganlu is one of China's Top Ten Famous Teas, produced on Mount Meng in Emei, Sichuan Province. It is a type of green tea renowned for its fragrant aroma, sweet taste, jade-green infusion color, and tender green leaves. What are the physical characteristics of Montding Ganlu? How can genuine Montding Ganlu be distinguished from fake ones? This article will introduce you to these aspects.
Physical Characteristics of Montding Ganlu:
- Shape: Fine and curled, resembling twisted strands, sometimes referred to as “spiraled.” The strands are slender, approximately 2-3 centimeters long and 1-2 millimeters in diameter. The surface of the strands is covered with white down, giving them a silvery-green luster.
- Color: Bright green or yellowish green, sometimes with a light yellow hue. The brighter the color, the better the quality. Colors that are too dark or too light indicate inferior quality tea.
- Aroma: Freshly fragrant or floral, sometimes with fruity or honey-like notes. The more intense the aroma, the better the quality. Aroma that is too faint or has an off-odor indicates inferior quality tea.
- Taste: Sweet or refreshingly brisk, sometimes with a slight bitterness or a sweet aftertaste. The richer the taste, the better the quality. Taste that is too astringent or too bland indicates inferior quality tea.
- Infusion Color: Jade green or yellowish green, sometimes with a golden hue. The clearer the infusion color, the better the quality. Infusion colors that are too murky or too pale indicate inferior quality tea.
- Leaf Base: Tender green or yellowish green, sometimes with reddish edges. The fresher the leaf base, the better the quality. Leaf bases that are too old or too yellow indicate inferior quality tea.
Methods for Identifying Genuine Montding Ganlu:
- Observation: Examine the physical characteristics and compare them with the standards mentioned above to see if they match. If the physical characteristics are significantly different, it can be judged as fake tea.
- Smell: Smell the aroma and compare it with the standards mentioned above to see if they match. If the aroma is significantly different, it can be judged as fake tea.
- Tasting: Taste the flavor and compare it with the standards mentioned above to see if they match. If the flavor is significantly different, it can be judged as fake tea.
- Inspecting the Infusion: Observe the infusion color and compare it with the standards mentioned above to see if they match. If the infusion color is significantly different, it can be judged as fake tea.
- Inspecting the Leaves: Observe the leaf base and compare it with the standards mentioned above to see if they match. If the leaf base is significantly different, it can be judged as fake tea.