• HOME >
  • Tea Processing

The Secret of Grading on Ripe Pu-erh Tea

[2013.07.31] Posted By


The ripe Pu-erh tea is often classified into various grades. The highest grade of the ripe Pu-erh tea is called the Imperial Grade (宮廷普洱), followed by the Special Grade, the Gift Tea Grade, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade and till 10th Grade. However, the grading of ripe Pu-erh tea does not accurately reflect the quality of the tea. Thus, I would like to share more about the details as follow.

Ripe Pu-erh tea is processed from the leaves that contain one bud and two to three leaves

The raw material for the ripe Pu-erh tea is the raw Pu-erh tea which composes of 1 bud and 2-3 leaves. Therefore, the production of ripe Pu-erh tea involves the fermentation of raw Pu-erh tea with some micro-organisms. Basically, both the raw and ripe Pu-erh tea leaves are of roughly the same appearance, except for the ripe Pu-erh, the tea leaves are slightly more fragmented into smaller sizes due to the mixing and other handling during the production. After the fermentation, the leaves are then called mao-cha in Chinese.
The mao cha of ripe pu-erh tea

The mao-cha of ripe pu-erh tea

The mao-cha of ripe pu-erh tea

The grading of ripe Pu-erh tea is carried out with sieving

The mao-cha of ripe Pu-erh tea is occasionally compressed as it is. However, in most cases, the mao-cha is classified into various grades where the grading is carried out mainly using a sifter or sometimes, other type of sorting equipment such as a gravity separator. The mao-cha of ripe Pu-erh tea is further classified into groups such as bud, leaf, stem and so on where each fraction of leaves collected during sorting process are classified into different grades. The higher grades of ripe pu-erh tea contain more buds, while the lower grades have more leaves in bigger sizes.

The pu-erh ripe tea mao-cha

The tea on the left is the mao-cha and the one on the right is the special grade collected after sieving.

The grading of the ripe Pu-erh tea does not mean identifying the tea’s quality

As mentioned, out of many grades, the finest grade is called the Imperial Grade that consists of mostly the tea buds where the price is usually higher. The colour of the tea buds are of golden colour and it looks gorgeous. But, on the contrary, the grades of ripe pu-erh tea that consist of many stems are usually considered as a lower quality tea. However, we should not forget that all grades of tea originate from the same material and the grading of ripe Pu-erh tea has nothing to do with the quality but the cup characteristics. In addition, different parts of the leaf produce different intensity of body, after taste and flavour. Somehow, the satisfaction of enjoying a cup of tea does not depend on its proportion to the grading. For example, the imperial Pu-erh tea is the most expensive tea but it does not mean it will produce the best drinking feeling. The imperial Pu-erh produces a very delicate and soft mouth feeling, yet it emits a lighter body and after taste when compared to the rest of the grades.

pu-erh ripe tea

Regardless of which country, there are a number of customers who tend to judge the tea quality based on its appearance since it is an easier way; in other words, where there are ‘more golden tips, the better the quality’, is what they usually presume. As a result, the present grading method has developed due to these trends. In any case, the quality of tea should be judged from the after taste, body and flavour, rather than just the appearance.

Imperial Grade

The imperial grade is called Gong Ting in Chinese. If you are interested in this grade of tea, please try our “Gong Ting Jing Hao”. Jing Hao means “Golden Bud” in Chinese.

Related Articles

How to get the latest update on HOJO Tea?

1. Follow Twitter, 2. Click "Like" on Facebook, and 3. Subscribe in newsletter. You can have the latest tea news from HOJO Tea.

Subscribe the Newsletter to enjoy the privileges
You may receive a free sample upon purchase, or you may have the priority to purchase special products. So please remember to subscribe our newsletter as well as the social network.
HOJO TEA Malaysia online Shop

HOJO TEA Online Shop NEWSlist

Special Release Limited Set of Ancient White Tea from 5 Gardens
The ancient white tea is a very popular tea in our store. We produced this tea in spring. Following production, it was stored in an oxygen-free environment for several months to further enhance its flavor, achieving the expected maturation. The production of ancient tree white tea is limited in quantity per day, resulting in small …
The New Arrival of Da Xue Shan Wild White Tea Loose 2023
We have released the 2023 harvest of wild white tea from the Da Xue Shan. Fresh Green Colour of Leaves Achieved Through Custom Production Da Xue Shan’s wild white tea is an incredibly rare type of white tea, and it’s made from a unique plant called Camellia Taliensis that grows in the wild in the …

NEW ARTICLES

We released Lapsang Suchong Qi Zhong Classic: Premium Lapsang Souchong
Lapsang Souchong is one of the earliest known black teas distinguished by a unique production method and flavour profile. Its origins are often linked to the Wuyi Mountains in China’s Fujian province, where Lapsang Souchong is traditionally crafted. Black tea production in the Wuyi region has a history dating back several centuries. Lapsang Souchong tea …
Regular Consumption of Umami Seasoning Can Influence Taste Preferences
Excessive consumption of artificial condiments, such as umami seasonings, is believed to influence one’s taste and preferences. I’d like to share my own view to explore how an overabundance of condiments can indeed influence one’s palate. Umami Seasonings Are Prevalent in Asian Countries I spend half of the year living abroad, particularly in China and …
Special Release Limited Set of Ancient White Tea from 5 Gardens
The ancient white tea is a very popular tea in our store. We produced this tea in spring. Following production, it was stored in an oxygen-free environment for several months to further enhance its flavor, achieving the expected maturation. The production of ancient tree white tea is limited in quantity per day, resulting in small …
The New Arrival of Da Xue Shan Wild White Tea Loose 2023
We have released the 2023 harvest of wild white tea from the Da Xue Shan. Fresh Green Colour of Leaves Achieved Through Custom Production Da Xue Shan’s wild white tea is an incredibly rare type of white tea, and it’s made from a unique plant called Camellia Taliensis that grows in the wild in the …
5 Years Aged Wu Liang Shan White Tea from 2018
In 2018, we introduced the Wu Liang Shan Ancient Tree White Tea. It became an instant hit, selling out quickly due to its exquisite taste and captivating aroma.Fortunately, we had the foresight to store half of the tea in Malaysia, where the consistently high temperatures create the perfect conditions for aging. Over the past five …
Grand Reopening of Gardens’ HOJO Store: Exciting Promotions Await!
We are delighted to announce that HOJO tea shop at The Gardens Mall will be reopening after renovation on Tuesday, July 11th, 10am to 10pm. To celebrate the store’s reopening, we have prepared some special promotions for the entire month of July: 1. For every RM1000 purchase on single receipt, you will have the opportunity …
Discover the long-lasting flavor profile of 2023 Shi Feng Long Jing
We have launched the 2023 harvest of Shi Feng Long Jing tea. Shi Feng Long Jing tea, also known as Shi Feng Dragon Well tea. It is one of the most famous and highly regarded teas in China.Shi Feng Long Jing tea is characterized by its flat, spear-shaped leaves that have a vibrant green colour. …
Rare Jasmine Tea Uniquely Crafted from Ripe Pu-erh
Instead of sourcing finished jasmine tea, we specialize in producing custom-made jasmine tea by bringing our carefully selected raw materials to jasmine factories. Over the years, we have created numerous unique jasmine tea varieties that are not available elsewhere, such as Pu-erh jasmine tea made from raw Pu-erh tea leaves, Jasmine Silver Needle made from …
Introducing 3 Varieties of Phoenix Dancong Oolong Tea
We have released new types of Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong Tea that are finished with more rounds of roasting with traditional charcoal fire by skilled tea master. In Phoenix, the locals called it Nong Xiang style, meaning that tea is giving more intense matured flavor. Nong Xiang tea refers to tea that has been roasted …
Exploring the Taste Diversity Within a Tea Tree: Apical Buds vs. Lateral Buds
Do you believe that all tea leaves have the same taste as long as they come from the same tree? I would like to explain that the taste of tea can vary significantly depending on the plucking position, even when harvested from the same tree. The Difference in Flavor Due to Different Harvesting Parts of …

PAGETOP