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, and then based on your interests, read widely, check out other experts' articles and videos, and be familiar with professional terminology, clearly understanding some history and industry background.

1. ### Travel More

Once you have a certain foundation, you can travel more. While traveling, read books and visit people; it yields twice the result with half the effort. If you want to understand Pu'er tea, you should definitely visit some of the major production areas like Xishuangbanna, Lincang, and Pu'er, including the 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 check out the sales areas, such as tea markets in Dongguan and 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 Preservation

Not only for health and wellness, but also to understand tea through health preservation. 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 insights, and then organize and summarize what you have gained to form your own understanding.

1. ### Persistence

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.