Fresh

Unlike pronounced floral fragrance, this aroma profile is as natural as it is refreshing. More often associated with Puer raw tea and sun-dried tea, the comforting and harmonious notes remind us of forest deep in the mountain and vast expanse of green grass.

Sweet Honey

It is not uncommon for Puer raw tea to come with a honeyed aroma developed during its extended storage. The lingering fragrance is highly recognisable. In general, these are higher grade teas that reward tea aficionados with a very long finish. A combination of honey and floral notes is typical of the aroma profiles of most Pu’er raw teas at the early stage of ageing.

Down

As the term suggests, it refers to the delightfully clean and pure aroma imparted by the very fine hair, or down, covering young, tender buds yet to open in early spring.

Floral

One of the common aroma profiles of Puer raw tea. The fragrance of orchid or lily brings with it an enjoyment, “stimulating” our senses in a way that differs from that of fruity and sweet honey notes. One whiff is all it takes to invigorate the mind, if not making you breathe even deeper.

Fruity

A hint of apple, lemon or sweet peach is another aroma profile common among Puer teas. This could be the result of intrinsic substances that carry a fruity note, or a few scents that blend in to produce a fruit-like fragrance. Young teas, in particular, tend to have hints of sweet apple coming to the fore; the bouquet fades as the scent profile of Puer raw tea transforms over time.

Plum 　

Raw teas that have gone into the storage for some time may impart a classic plum fragrance. It smells revitalising with a hint of tartness reminiscent of fresh green plums. The fragrance blends well with the flavour to offer a soothing beverage with a refreshing mouthfeel.

Nutty 　

Nutty aroma such as that of pine nuts or betel nuts is rather rare among Puer teas. Puer raw teas that have been kept and aged naturally for a considerable period of time may have it, so do certain puer ripe teas.

Aged Fragrance　

Pu’er ripe teas, as well as pu’er raw teas that have aged over an extended period of time, have an appealing aged fragrance (chenxiang) not dissimilar to the rich, deep scent note of old wood, but livelier. It is a far cry from the flatness and dullness of teas that have simply been around for too long. Anchoring this complex scent profile is a combination of woody, earthy and dried herbaceous aromas.

Dried Dates

The aroma of dried dates is characterised by caramelised sweetness and woody fragrance. This classic scent profile is predominantly present in puer ripe tea made of larger and more mature leaves, as sugar content is higher, and fermentation produces more soluble sugars. When the sugar content reaches a certain level, it will blend in with the woody notes and the like, resulting in an aroma typical of dried dates.

Dried Longan

Higher grade puer ripe teas smelling of sweet dried longan have usually undergone more vigorous fermentation at a higher temperature. The scent profiles of dried dates and dried longan could be similar; however, dried longan is not as mellow on the nose.

Woody

Most puer teas, especially those of the ripe category, carry a woody fragrance with an understated appeal that sets it apart from the highly noticeable notes of flowers and honey.

Ginseng 　　

Puer ripe teas that have been stored in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment may have a unique ginseng-like scent, thanks to compounds inherent in puer tea. This is complemented by woody and sweet notes.

Herbaceous Scent

The herbaceous smell reminds us of Chinese medicine halls where traditional herbal medicine abounds. It is essentially the smell of dried herbs and wood that have been stored for a very long time. Under our southern climatic conditions with temperature and humidity on the higher level, the ageing process takes a shorter time -- herbaceous scent typically emerges in a matter of years. Conversely, this may take a lot longer under dry conditions.

Wild Mushroom　

The fragrance of wild mushrooms is largely present in Puer raw tea. The smell is as enticing as it is classic, often considered a sign of premium quality. However, extended storage will see this aroma fades as time goes by.