I. Official Definition: The Origin of Fundamental DifferencesAccording to national standards :
Raw Tea: Yunnan large-leaf sun-dried green tea → Natural aging fermentation
Ripe Tea: Yunnan large-leaf sun-dried green tea → Artificial Wodui accelerated fermentation
II. 7 Core Comparison Dimensions
1. Appearance & Color
| Raw Tea | Ripe Tea |
|---|---|
| Intact, tightly wound strands; Dominantly bluish-green/dark green | Fragmented strands; Deep brown/reddish-brown/dark brown |
| Resembles vibrant spring leaves | Evokes time-aged antique wood |
Raw Tea
Ripe Tea
2. Liquor Performance
Raw Tea:
New tea: Bright green-yellow / pale yellow
Aged tea: Orange-yellow → Orange-red (gradual transition over time)
Ripe Tea:
Light fermentation: Chestnut red
Heavy fermentation: Deep burgundy like Bordeaux wine
3. Aroma Profile
| Raw Tea | Ripe Tea |
|---|---|
| Floral/honey/fruity high notes | Aged aroma/jujube/camphor/woody notes |
| Lotus notes (under-fixed tea) | Warm, cellar-like depth |
Raw Tea
Ripe Tea
4. Spent Leaves
Raw Tea: Yellow-green/dark green; Plump, elastic texture
Ripe Tea: Reddish-brown; Soft like warm jade
Raw Tea
Ripe Tea
5. Health Benefits
| Raw Tea | Ripe Tea |
|---|---|
| Cool-natured → Clears heat, reduces summer heat, lowers fat | Warm-natured → Nourishes stomach, anti-aging |
| Rich in polyphenols (antioxidants) | Lowers “three highs” (lipid/glucose/blood pressure) |
| Ideal for summer | Ideal for winter |
6. Production Process
Fresh Leaf Picking–Withering-Fixation-Rolling–Critical Junction
Raw Tea : Sun-drying–Steaming-pressing–Drying
Ripe Tea : Wodui fermentation–Drying–Steaming-pressing
Wodui Fermentation: Unique 40-60 day microbial process that decomposes bitter compounds and transforms tea nature to warm
Raw Tea
Ripe Tea
7. Target Drinkers Guide
Choose Raw Tea: Heaty constitution / Seek freshness & astringency / Collectors
Choose Ripe Tea: Sensitive stomach / Cold body constitution / Immediate drinking
III. Ultimate Selection Formula
“3-Checks & 1-Sip” Rule
Check Dry Leaves: Raw—intact & green; Ripe—fragmented & brown
Check Liquor: Raw—amber-transparent; Ripe—wine-dark
Check Spent Leaves: Raw—vibrant & resilient; Ripe—even red & jade-like
Sip Sensation: Raw—swift sweetness; Ripe—mellow & stomach-warming
Epilogue: Harmony of the Twin Tea Kings
Raw tea is a poet of time, singing verses from youth to maturity; Ripe tea is a scientific alchemist, rewriting tea’s character with microbes. Whether you embrace raw tea’s vibrant edge or ripe tea’s mellow warmth, your palate savors the dance of Yunnan’s rainforests with millennia of tea wisdom.
