How to Become a Tea Expert?

My answer on Zhihu, sharing it here!

First of all, I am not an expert myself, nor do I want to become one. I just want to be a good tea merchant, but I do have some say in becoming a tea expert.

1. ### Read, Listen, and Watch

You should read more basic books, then based on your interests, read widely, and read articles and watch videos by other experts. You should be familiar with professional terminology and clearly understand some historical and industry backgrounds.

1. ### Travel More

After having a certain foundation, you can travel more. While traveling, read books and visit people; it's twice the result with half the effort. If you want to understand Pu'er tea, you should definitely visit some of the main producing areas like Xishuangbanna, Lincang, Pu'er, and their mountains and factories. Finally, stay for a while to understand the local customs and then think about why Pu'er tea is what it is today. Of course, after understanding the production areas, you should also look at the sales areas, such as tea markets in Dongguan, Fangcun, and some representative tea shops, tea houses, and tea buildings.

1. ### Drink More

Still taking Pu'er as an example, you should carefully compare and taste old tea, mountain tea, different processing methods, and tea you make yourself. Take notes, summarize, and then organize and sort out.

1. ### Health

Not only for health and wellness, but also to understand tea for health. See my video: How to Understand Tea - Advanced Level - Lao Lü Talks Tea - Zhihu https://www.zhihu.com/zvideo/1446439112244510720

1. ### Summarize More

Regularly take study notes, visit peers and experts, attend tea gatherings, share your confusions and knowledge, and then organize and summarize what you have gained to form your own understanding.

1. ### Persist

There is no shortcut. Keep learning, keep drinking tea, keep visiting, keep summarizing. I believe that after more than ten years or longer, you will already be half an expert. Of course, if you are gifted, you will already be an expert.