What grade of tea should I buy as a beginner?
I don't want to waste money on tea I won't appreciate yet, but cheap tea is bad. What's the sweet spot?
Skip both the bottom and the top. Don't buy supermarket bagged tea (industrial dust) — but also don't drop €100 on a famous-mountain Da Hong Pao your palate can't yet read. The sweet spot for beginners: €15–30 per 50–100g of single-origin loose leaf from a reputable specialist. That gets you genuine character without breaking the bank. Start with 3–5 types from different categories (one green, one oolong, one black, one pu-erh) so you learn what your palate likes.
— Yurii — 931 Tea, 931 Tea