- Dry Leaf Appearance
- For the special teas — round, flat, needle-shaped, spiral, pearl or bundle-tied shapes; for 银毫 — tight leaf with sturdy buds and noticeable down; for 特级 — tight, yellow-green.
- Dry Leaf Aroma
- No descriptions in the sources consulted.
- Liquor Aroma
- For the special teas and 银毫 — fresh and lively (鲜灵), rich and lasting; for 特级 — simply fresh and rich (鲜浓).
- Liquor Color
- Yellow-green, clear and bright; for 特级 — light yellow.
- Spent Leaves
- For the special teas — fleshy, tender buds with down; for 特级 — tender green and even.
- Taste
- Fresh, rich and full (鲜浓醇厚); the review of the Mission of China to the EU calls the “rock sugar taste” (冰糖味) characteristic.