# 7 Chinese Tea Tasting Terms When tasting tea, don't limit yourself to simply saying "this tea tastes good." Instead, learn these tea tasting terms to better describe your experience.  | Term | Pinyin | English Translation | Description | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **回甘** | *Huí gān* | Returning Sweetness | The tea initially tastes bitter or astringent, but is followed by a lingering sweetness. | | **生津** | *Shēng jīn* | Generating Saliva | A sensation where the mouth begins to salivate after drinking. | | **锁喉** | *Suǒ hóu* | Throat Locking | A negative sensation where the throat feels dry or tight after drinking. | | **喉韵** | *Hóu yùn* | Throat Resonance | The throat feels moist, soothed, or refreshed after the tea passes. | | **体感** | *Tǐ gǎn* | Physical Sensation | A feeling of warmth spreading across the body (often the back). | | **挂杯** | *Guà bēi* | Cup-Clinging Aroma | A lingering fragrance that remains at the bottom of the empty cup. | --- **Next time you're drinking tea, use these terms to describe the taste and feeling!**