Brisk

A lively, refreshing quality in the mouth — the opposite of a flat or dull-tasting cup.

Briskness describes a tea that feels lively and refreshing on the palate, often linked to a clean level of astringency and good acidity. It's considered a positive trait, especially in black teas like Assam and Ceylon, where a brisk cup is prized over a flat, soft one.

A tea can lose its briskness if it's brewed with water that's too soft, steeped for too short a time, or simply past its prime — tasters use the word as shorthand for a cup that still has energy in it.