What concept, beyond standardized grades, is often considered the true measure of a tea's ultimate grade by connoisseurs?
Answer
The reputation and proven expertise of the individual producer
While official grading systems exist, the actual attainment of the highest quality often transcends simple labels and relies heavily on human expertise. Certain renowned tea makers possess a mastery over agricultural variables—such as timing the harvest and calibrating the shading duration with uncanny accuracy—that allows them to consistently produce teas surpassing generically labeled high grades from less accomplished estates. This accumulated reputation, often built over generations of successful cultivation and processing, serves as a highly trusted, albeit unofficial, barometer for a tea's ultimate excellence.
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