What is the taste of "age" ?

[PuerhCollector]

Aged liu an.
Aged Oolongs.
Aged Sheng.

Is there anything common to the taste and aroma of aged teas?

Is it true that sheng puerh is the tea most likely to improve with age?

Is a part of the appeal of old teas in the connection with the past? not just flavors?

old camphor wood furniture, that aged woody vanillic note..

if a tea goes stale, the only redemption is when lignin starts to breakdown.

there's a plum sour note but i'll usually avoid the plummy sour notes..

+1 and add in a touch of talcum powder, old ginseng, old leather, Chinese medicine.

I’ve recently answered a similar question so thought I’ll add my piece to the exchange of opinions.

I'm sure many here are already aware of this point but just to clarify for those starting on the journey of age teas. It should be noted that age tea drinkers are not paying $$$$$ for the taste of age alone. There are many things that tastes better, are much cheaper and easier to obtain without having to navigate through a minefield of counterfeits. Using myself as an example as someone you greatly enjoys drinking age teas. My priorities in how I assess teas in terms of the different aspects of tea (ex. taste, smell. brew texture, body reaction, tolerances, etc) are quite different to most people you may prefer fresh and fragrant teas more.

Personally for aged teas like puerh, oolong, heicha or liu ann I assess how deep and penetrating the effect of the tea is on me as a number one priority. How good a tea is, is based on how good I feel during and after I drink the tea. In China in the old days tea is seen as medicine, a component of Chinese medicine if you like. Additionally age teas have a relaxing and calming nature so there are people who would drink these teas to aide in focusing their thoughts as a meditation ritual as a way to enlightenment if you like.

Below is a list of the different aspects of tea listed in order of importance based on how I would assess a tea.

1) Body reaction - A sense that your whole body has drunk and enjoyed the tea, a feeling of comfort and relaxation
1) Tolerance - This is subjective and personal. It is in reference to our body’s natural instinct and mental comfort zone that triggers a rejection mechanism. Any tea that triggers this is out so a tea would need to have characteristics deemed tolerable enough to slide by this test (which is unique for each individual). I am particular about a certain sour taste and sharp astringency that comes from stale Chinese green teas. Some people don’t like HK (wet) storage and so on.
2) Brew texture - A substantial feeling in the mouth
3) Taste/Smell – This is very wide ranging, all things pleasant and agreeable

In my mind a good tea would need to perform well in 1), pass the tolerance test and be able to reach at least a decent standard for all the others.

Best, VP

[PurplePotato]

So agreed VP. I search for my teas in a similar fashion, both young and old. One additional thing I look for, maybe a 1.5 by your scale, is for the tea to be interesting in some way. Sometimes, the qi is good enough to provide that interest, sometimes it's other things. Maybe a dramatically changing flavor over a session, an interesting throat sensation, or whatever else. Something that makes you stop and take notice. Also serious bonus pints for a nice aftertase/aftermouthfeel - maybe at 2.5 on the scale.

[PuerhCollector]

So agreed VP. I search for my teas in a similar fashion, both young and old. One additional thing I look for, maybe a 1.5 by your scale, is for the tea to be interesting in some way. Sometimes, the qi is good enough to provide that interest, sometimes it's other things. Maybe a dramatically changing flavor over a session, an interesting throat sensation, or whatever else. Something that makes you stop and take notice. Also serious bonus pints for a nice aftertase/aftermouthfeel - maybe at 2.5 on the scale.

Hello PurplePotato,

Your comment is right on the button. The appreciation of tea is a very personal thing.

It may be interesting to note that for me, this list and the order it is in now wasn’t always like this. When I first started getting into tea and was charmed and attracted by the aromas and taste it was somewhat reversed

That's not to say I am no longer "charmed and attracted by the aromas and taste", I just crave more

Best, VP