In Taiwan, “one heart and two leaves” is widely recognized as the standard for tea picking. But why not pick all tender buds or mature leaves, or even “one heart and five leaves”? Today, let`s talk about tea leaves.
What is “one heart and two leaves”?
On the tea plant, the topmost tender bud is the “heart,” and the two leaves below it are the “two leaves.”
When the tea leaves are stretched out in water, you can see several large leaves, with the tender bud at the top resembling a small bamboo shoot. The tender bud and mature leaves are connected by the tea stem.
Why pick “one heart and two leaves”?
Sun drying and rolling are essential steps in making oolong tea. These steps promote fermentation in the tea leaves, and “one heart and two leaves” tea can withstand the challenges of these processes.
If only tender buds are picked, they are prone to damage during sun drying and rolling, resulting in poor flavor of the tea leaves.
What are the benefits of “one heart and two leaves”?
The benefit is balanced flavor and suitability for brewing at high temperatures. Here`s why: the heart bud provides a sweet aftertaste but can be bitter, while the leaves offer sweetness and good aroma but lack the aftertaste, being lighter in flavor. “One heart and two leaves” combine the best of both worlds, providing a sweet aftertaste, good aroma, and balanced flavor. When brewed at high temperatures, the bitterness of the heart bud is diluted by the mature leaves, while the lightness of the leaves is balanced by the bud, resulting in a satisfying brew.
| Tender bud | Mature leaf | |
| Aroma | Light | Strong |
| Flavor | Bitter-sweetness with a hint of astringency | Clear sweetness, lacking bitterness |
Is one heart and two leaves the only good tea?
Not necessarily, it depends on the condition of the tea. The texture of one heart and two leaves is tender, if one heart and three leaves or one heart and four leaves have a tender texture, they should all be harvested and used. The quality of tea flavor cannot be judged solely by visual inspection.
Why doesn`t my tea have a heart leaf?
If the tea leaves do not have a heart leaf, there are two possibilities. It may have accidentally broken during the manufacturing process. The heart leaf may have matured into a leaf. If you look closely at the tip of the tea stem, you may see a small bud.
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