Whether we spend 5 minutes in the grocery store searching for a tea to soothe our troubles or we scour the internet hunting down the name of a mysterious tea we once tasted, it’s in our best interest to know as much information as possible about a tea’s cultivation. While I know many teaheads familiar with this analysis tool, I can’t help but share and spread this acronym coined by Don Mei of Mei Leaf.

Season

Cultivar

Origin

Picking/Processing

Elevation

Now that we see this list, let’s take a look into just why this information is important when preparing tea and making thoughtful purchases. This is a general outline of my discussion points with each one, and the interconnectivity of this analysis means that with just a few questions we can understand what makes a tea so unique!

Season: When a tea is picked provides an indication as to the size of the leaf, and style of picking, and can provide general insight into pesticide usage. Spring harvests, especially Pre Qing Ming, tend to command a higher price due to the tea bushes growing during the dormant winter months. Summer teas generally have the challenge of insects and an increase in pesticide usage. Unless we know the trends and common practices for seasonal harvests of tea, we could be drinking teas that are out of season while still paying a pretty penny.

Cultivar: Understanding the tea cultivar is crucial in the process of tasting and evaluating tea because it directly influences the flavor, aroma, and overall characteristics of the tea leaves. Cultivar refers to a specific variety or clone of the tea plant, and different cultivars exhibit distinct profiles in terms of taste, aroma, and appearance. Factors such as the cultivar’s genetic makeup, growing conditions, and processing methods all shape the final product. For example, some cultivars may be known for producing teas with floral notes, while others might offer a more robust or vegetal flavor. By identifying and understanding the cultivar, tea enthusiasts can better appreciate and recognize the unique qualities of each tea, make informed choices based on personal preferences, and gain deeper insights into the intricate world of tea varieties. Moreover, this knowledge allows tea producers to optimize cultivation practices and processing techniques to bring out the best qualities of a particular cultivar, contributing to the overall quality and diversity of the tea market.

Origin: Understanding the source of tea allows us to authenticate the leaf to some extent, understand its pricing, and provide a connection to the particular terroir, or landscape a tea resides. Knowing the county, village, farm, etc, empowers us to research and make decisions. When I know the land in which tea was grown, a bridge is built to the culture and environment, especially when our global climate trends continue to shift.

Picking/Processing: Knowing whether it’s a tea that prominently displays buds or utilizes the 3rd and 4th leaves gives an outlook into the chemistry, compound balance, taste, and price of a tea. If I can find the processing specific to a batch of tea, I then know, coupled with visual markers on the leaf, if a tea was processed by hand or with the aid of a machine. This impacts the value and story from leaf to cup.

Elevation: Has the tea been cultivated in the ideal village but grows alongside a dusty road? Maybe the same cultivar and type is growing just a few hundred meters higher, away from the din of daily life. Maybe there’s plentiful sunlight in a lower-elevation garden versus a mountainous one. Understanding this aspect provides us with insight into the obstacles and processing techniques used to produce tea, as well as the growth of the plant.

So there are a few thoughts on why I value this process and similar processes used within the community. Does every tea vendor readily share this information? Not always, but in my experience thus far most are happy to provide the information when asked. With practice, tasting, and experiencing the leaf, you’ll be able to gain a lot just by the taste and visual cues.

Is there a tool or method you use when making tea-purchasing decisions? I’d love to hear your thoughts on what you look for when it comes to investing in your tea drinking!