Abstract:The volatile components and the key aroma components of black tea prepared using three tea cultivars (Jin Peony, Jin Guanyin, Xiaocai tea) by the ‘Zunyi Red’ processing technology were determined and analyzed through sensory evaluation and gas chromatography mass spectrometry technology. The results of sensory evaluation showed that the final scores of Jin Peony, Jin Guanyin and Xiaocai tea were 90.50, 89.75 and 85.85, respectively. The quality of ‘Zunyi Red’ black tea made from Jin Peony was the best, followed by Jin Guanyin, and the quality of Xiaocai tea was worst. A total of 78 aroma compounds were identified by GC-MS from the volatile components of three different tea varieties of ‘Zunyi Red’ black tea, namely, Jin Peony, Jin Guanyin and Xiaocai tea. There were 37, 33 and 42 kinds of aroma compounds, respectively, and 17, 17, and 15 types of special aromas. The aroma compounds of three tea varieties included esters, alcohols, ketones, phenols, aldehydes, alkanes, acids, and so on. The relative content of flower and fruit aroma substances from three tea varieties ranked in the order of Jin Peony (36.00%) > Jin Guanyin (35.07%) > Xiaocai tea (19.66%). According to the sensory evaluation and GC-MS detection, the ‘Zunyi Red’ black tea made by Jin Peony had a best quality, followed by Jin Guanyin, and that of Xiaocai tea was the worst. This study could provide a theoretical basis for maintaining and improving the quality of ‘Zunyi Red’ black tea.