Abstract: Simultaneous distillation extraction (SDE) technique combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identification method were applied to analyze the volatile components in nine kinds of An-hua Qian-liang tea, in which, the aroma characteristic of the components were discussed by sensory evaluation method. Results of sensory evaluation indicated that the main features of An-hua Qian-liang tea are fragrance of pine wood and stale flavour. Some An-hua Qian-liang teas possess a slight fragrance of reed leaves and aroma of coarse stems as well as the stale flavour and smoke. A few An-hua Qian-liang tea possesses a little sour taste. Results of GC-MS analysis indicated that alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, heterocyclic oxygen compounds play a major role on An-hua Qian-liang tea aroma. The alcohol content is the largest (21.97%), followed by aldehydes (20.11%), ketones (18.69%), heterocyclic oxygen compounds (18.39%), fatty acids (12.71%), lipids (1.70%) and heterocyclic (1.21%) compounds.

Key words: Qian-liang tea, aroma, characteristic