When talking about Pu-erh tea, you often hear the terms "ancient tree" and "arboreal" used together, with "arboreal" emphasizing ancient tree tea and seemingly placing terrace tea in opposition as "shrubs." However, there are some misunderstandings in this regard. To differentiate between ancient tree tea, terrace tea, and arboreal tea, we should first understand their concepts.
Ancient Tree Tea
Ancient trees refer to tea trees that have been alive for over a hundred years, regardless of the tree's species, growth area, characteristics, etc. It emphasizes the tree's age and its survival time. Ancient tree tea can be divided into two types: artificially cultivated ancient trees and wild ancient trees.
Terrace Tea
Terrace tea refers to the planting method of tea trees, usually referring to tea leaves produced in densely planted, high-yield modern tea gardens using modern tea planting techniques. These trees usually have shorter lifespans and are of newer varieties. Due to dense planting and excessive human intervention for higher yield, the tea yield is substantial, and this type of tea cultivation has developed rapidly. The basic characteristics of such tea gardens are "concentrated, high-yield," accompanied by "pesticide spraying and fertilizing, inter-row pruning." Various measures such as pruning, fertilizing, and spraying are basic practices in the management of terrace tea. Therefore, terrace tea can also be considered artificially cultivated tea.
Arboreal Tea
"Arboreal" is defined based on the branching attributes. It originally refers to tall trees with distinct trunks and crowns that start branching from a height of more than 30 cm above the ground.
So, ancient tree tea does fall under arboreal tea, but most terrace tea consists of large-leaf arboreal tea trees. While terrace tea undergoes artificial planting and pruning, intense plucking, and changes to the tree's reproductive conditions, the tree's fundamental attributes do not change. When various "restrictions" and "stimuli" are removed, these low-profile tea trees will grow taller and larger, regaining their original "arboreal" appearance. Of course, a small portion of terrace tea belongs to shrub tea, with smaller sizes and no clear main trunk, growing in clumps. It would be unfair to classify all Yunnan large-leaf variety terrace tea as "shrub tea" in order to emphasize the value of ancient tree tea.
Comparison between Ancient Tree Tea and Terrace Tea:
Ancient tree pure tea has a long tree age and a good ecological environment that terrace tea cannot match. Ancient tree tea has a thicker taste and unique charm and style, but it is more difficult and costly to harvest. Terrace tea is densely planted and high-yield, suitable for mass production. Through skillful blending techniques, consistent layers and taste can also be achieved in Pu-erh tea.
If you can easily distinguish the tea trees, how can you differentiate the tea leaves you buy?
How to Distinguish Ancient Tree Tea from Terrace Tea:
Appearance: Ancient tree tea leaves are relatively robust compared to terrace tea leaves. They have a distinct leathery texture, clear veins, irregularly shaped teeth along the edges, and fewer hairs on the back. Terrace tea leaves are thinner due to cultivation, with wavy edges, regular-shaped teeth, and more hairs on the back.
Long-lasting Aroma, Endurance in Brewing: Ancient tree tea has a deep and rich aroma that lingers for a long time and is very enduring in brewing. It usually has 25-40 brews. Terrace tea, on the other hand, has a fleeting aroma that doesn't last and is not as enduring, usually 10-15 brews.
Taste: Ancient tree tea brings a rich taste and conveys a breath like that of a high mountain and wide wilderness. The soup is denser and more mellow, with smooth penetration. Terrace tea gives a thin taste and sometimes mixed flavors. The soup's penetration does not provide a comfortable sensation on the back of the tongue. Although it may feel dominant when entering the mouth, bitterness and astringency are heavier than in ancient tea (Note: Bitterness and astringency in terrace tea are relatively strong and do not dissipate quickly).
Leaf Bottom: After brewing, the leaves of ancient tree tea stretch well, are plump, elastic, and resilient. Terrace tea leaves are not easy to stretch after brewing, have a thin texture, and are brittle.
Flavor: Ancient tree tea has a thick and rich taste (Note: generally good ancient tree tea has a slight floral or woody aroma in the front or back, with a subtle front aroma and a more pronounced back aroma), and the bitterness melts as it enters the mouth, not lingering in the mouth. It transforms into a sweet sensation, leaving the mouth moistened and a long-lasting aftertaste in the mouth and throat. The energy and tea essence are released slowly, providing a comfortable sensation. Terrace tea's thickness and the tea flavor left in the mouth are temporary, the sensation of moistening the mouth is not evident, the aftertaste is short, and the energy contained in aged tea is relatively less and released quickly. The comfort level for the mouth is relatively weak.