Astringency is the drying or puckering sensation you can notice in the mouth. Bitterness is a taste. They can occur together in a drink, but they describe different experiences and are worth separating when discussing a cup of tea.
Notice where the sensation is
After a small sip, ask whether you notice a bitter taste, a dry feeling across the mouth, or both. Astringency can feel like a loss of smoothness or lubrication rather than simply an unpleasant flavour.
You do not need a professional scoring system. A note such as dry after swallowing is more precise than calling everything strong.
Compare without changing everything
Use one tea prepared according to its packet. Taste it at a comfortable temperature, then consider the flavour and the mouth sensation separately. Additions such as milk or sweetener can change the overall impression, so leave those for a second comparison.
Different herbal infusions do not all have the same balance of sensations. A tart hibiscus drink can seem sharp without that sharpness being the same thing as either bitterness or a drying mouthfeel.
Why the distinction helps
If you tell a supplier that a cup felt drying, you are asking a different question from saying it tasted bitter. Explaining the preparation method also helps: tea quantity, water amount and brewing time can influence what you experience.
Do not assume astringency proves freshness, quality or a health effect. It is one sensory observation among several.
Next time you compare cups, write separate short notes for taste and texture. That small change can make a review or tasting conversation much clearer, especially when two people are using the word strong to mean different things.
Related reading: Why Does Herbal Tea Taste Bitter?.
Explore our free Herbal Tea Wellness Guide for more about K&M Herbs. For a product question, contact us.