Pu-Erh

Pu-Erh

Pu-erh is a type of tea that originates from the Chinese province of Yunnan. It is specially treated with a fermentation and maturation process before being sold, which gives it a unique taste and smell.

Jeannie Lin

My Fair Concubine

Thank the heavens for tea. How did people ever come together without it?

Pu erh occupies a unique place in the world of tea. When it comes to processing, storage and flavour, there is no comparable tea. The taste of Pu erh originates from various factors such as raw materials, soil, height, time and storage conditions. The combination of these elements makes Pu Erh such an exceptional tea variety.

The taste palette of Pu erh is generally very diverse: it can be sweet, bitter, floral, soft, woody, astringent, sour, earthy, watery or even tasteless. Multiple flavours are often perceived during a single tea brew. As Pu erh ages, the flavour changes. So don't throw out your Pu erh if you didn't like it the first time. Just make yourself another nice pot of tea and go on a taste excursion!

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Pu erh tea

Pu-erh shu tea is a special kind of tea that is made in the Chinese province of Yunnan. The name "pu-erh" refers to the city of Pu-erh where the tea is traditionally produced, while "shu" means "aged" or "ripe". This refers to the fact that pu-erh shu tea is often stored and aged for years before drinking.

Pu-erh shu tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant, just like other types of tea. However, the process of making pu-erh tea is unique. After picking, the leaves are washed, kneaded and dried in the sun. They are then fermented and aged in special chambers or caves. This process is done in specially designed cellars where the right temperature and humidity is created. During fermentation, microorganisms are activated that attack the tea leaves, leading to a change in taste and aroma.

After fermentation, the tea is dried and aged for several years. This gives the tea a dark color and makes the taste even richer and more complex. Pu-erh tea is often described as a "living tea" because its flavor and aroma continue to develop as it matures.

Sheng Pu-erh vs Shou Pu-erh

There are two types of Pu-erh tea: Sheng Pu-erh and Shou Pu-erh. "Sheng" means "raw" and means the tea is fermented naturally. "Shu" means "aged" or "ripe". This refers to the fact that pu-erh shu tea is often stored and aged for years before drinking.

Shou Pu-erh, however, is made by picking, drying, and kneading the leaves, then pressing them into cakes or balls. This is then fermented and aged. This process usually takes about 3 to 6 months. Pu-erh shu tea has a dark color and a full, earthy taste. It is often described as "leathery" or "woody".

Pu-erh tea is often drunk for the health benefits it provides. It is said that pu-erh tea can help with weight loss, reduce cholesterol and strengthen the immune system. It is also said that pu-erh tea can help reduce stress and improve sleep.

The taste of pu-erh tea is often described as full, rich and earthy. It often has a dark color and a slightly bitter taste. The taste may vary depending on the age and quality of the tea. There are many different grades and types of pu-erh tea available, including sheng (unfermented) and shou (fermented).

Older Pu-erh tea is often seen as more valuable and more expensive than younger teas. In addition, Pu-erh tea is often classified according to where the leaves are harvested, with the teas from certain regions of Yunnan considered to be particularly valuable.

In China and other parts of Asia, Pu-erh tea is often drunk during special occasions, such as banquets or ceremonies. In the rest of the world, Pu-erh tea is often drunk to enjoy its taste and health benefits.

Different flavours

Sheng pu-erh and shou pu-erh have different flavors due to their unique production process.

Sheng pu-erh often has a green or yellow color and a fresh, spicy taste. The flavor can also have earthy, woody or vegetal undertones. The taste of Sheng pu-erh can also change as it matures, becoming more complex over time, with a wider range of flavors, such as fruit notes, minerals or nuts.

Shou pu-erh often has a dark color and a rich, earthy flavor. The flavor can also have sweet, chocolatey or tobacco undertones. Sometimes this tea is described as having "rich, full" flavor. The taste of Shou pu-erh doesn't change much as it matures.

In summary, Sheng pu-erh often has a fresh, spicy flavor with an earthy undertone and can become more complex as it matures. Shou pu-erh often has a rich, earthy flavor with sweet, chocolatey or tobacco undertones and doesn't change much as it matures.

Health benefits of Pu-erh

Pu-erh tea has been enjoyed for centuries for its many health benefits. This is largely due to the specific fermentation process that pu-erh tea undergoes, which leads to the formation of active enzymes and antioxidants that are beneficial to our health.

One of the main health benefits of pu-erh tea is that it helps with weight loss. Studies have shown that drinking pu-erh tea can help reduce body fat and increase metabolism. This is because pu-erh tea contains a compound known as theanine, which helps in reducing the amount of fat in the body.

Pu-erh tea can also help reduce blood cholesterol levels. Studies have shown that drinking pu-erh tea can lead to a decrease in "bad" LDL cholesterol and an increase in "good" HDL cholesterol. This can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Pu-erh tea also contains a high concentration of antioxidants that help strengthen the immune system. These antioxidants can help protect the body from free radical damage and reduce the risk of diseases such as cancer.

In addition, pu-erh tea can also help reduce stress and improve sleep. It contains a compound called theaflavin that helps regulate the hormones responsible for stress levels and sleep.

In conclusion, pu-erh tea is a healthy drink that offers many health benefits. It can help with weight loss, reduce cholesterol, strengthen the immune system, reduce stress and improve sleep. If you're looking for a healthy drink that can help improve your health, pu-erh tea is an excellent choice.

Origin of Pu-erh

Pu-erh has been produced over 1700 years. The story goes that Pu-erh was discovered by chance. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 N.C.) there was a lively trade in tea inside and outside China. In order to take large quantities of tea, merchants pressed the tea in large blocks. Because of the long distances and difficult terrain these traders were often months or even years on the road. But there was something strange happened with the tea during those long trips. Not only the color changed from green to orange, but the taste was livelier, richer and fruitier.

Unknowingly, the tea underwent, during the month-long journey, an aging and fermentation process where bacteria and fungi causing biological and enzymatic changes.

Pu-erh is named after the city of Pu'er in Yunnan province.

Production of Pu-erh

Pu-erh is,in contrast to black tea, not oxidized, but fermented. This means that the tea is ripened with bacteria and fungi.

There are two types of Pu-erh, raw and ripe Pu-erh. By Raw Pu-erh tea leaves are pressed immediately after the production of forms. When ripe Pu-erh tea leaves are matured for several months alvoerens to be squeezed. In principle, Pu-erh begins as green tea.

Like a good wine, Pu-erh gets better with the years.

Brewing tips for Pu-erh

On average, the temperature of the water has to be between 95°C - 100°C before it is poured over the Pu-erh.

The average setting time for Pu-erh tea is between 2 and 4 minutes.

On the information sheet of the tea is indicated what is the desired water temperature and brewing time.

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