Oolong Tea Grading - How Does It Work?

by Chris
(Germany)

I have read that crude oolong tea is assessed by taking into consideration the climate, soil quality etc but I have also heard that it can be classified according to grades. What are these grades and the criteria used? Many thanks!

P.S I love your website.

Answer:

Thanks for the compliment.

As far as I can tell the number one factor is altitude, with higher mountain producing higher quality tea due to better climate and soil.

Then it is the seasonality, with spring and autumn harvests the highest quality.

After that it is just the different kind of leaves being harvested, with the tenderer and fatter leaves being higher grade.

Of course, you would expect higher grade leaves being handpicked rather than machine harvested.

Let me know if you think I have missed out anything.