Pu-erh Tea

What is aged tea and why is it so costly? The world of Pu-erh Teas is one soaked in secret. It does not help with its case either that lots of farmers and manufacturers of puerh teas in the Yunnan area of China contributes to this idea of confusion with their own practice and specific craftsmanship. What does it indicate to “age” the tea? Why is some business selling a tea cake from ten years earlier at the price of $1,500 per piece? Below, we will try to decipher what occurs to the puerh tea throughout the aging procedure, present the types of puerh teas, and share some fascinating realities to much better assist you in understanding this interesting tea and maybe very soon, discover to value its special character.

Attributes

The aging procedure of puerh teas uses a smoother and more intricate flavor that is typically eclipsed by the “freshness” from its preliminary harvest. However, it is essential to understand that there is a prime time to take pleasure in each of the two kinds of puerh tea.

Raw

Because this is puerh tea in its most fundamental form, the raw puerh frequently has the highest investment worth because of how versatile and varied in flavor it could become. Its preliminary tastes include flower notes with sufficient of grape-like fragrance that resembles a delicate glass of chardonnay. With time, its delicacy will slowly evolve and develop to offer a much deeper and earthier tone with a smoother texture and sweet after taste. Raw puerh tea is typically sold at a much higher rate point than its ripe counter part due to its ability to develop and mature gradually, with almost no expiration date. Connoisseurs often acquire more than one tea cake each year so that they can keep one kept for aging purposes (this can be accomplished merely by storing the cake in loose product packaging in a dark, cool location to ensure just a minimum amount of moisture and air might reach the tea leaves), while having another tea cake that they can open throughout the years to take pleasure in and taste the difference. Given that raw puerh is extremely versatile, its optimum time for tasting differs according to individual taste, however it is normally recommended that the tasting happens after 2 to 3 years from its date of production to make sure that the “roughness” of the tea has already been smoothed over.

Within our collection, we are offering the Wild Doe, Silk Road, and Queen Bee (coming quickly!) for your consideration. We suggest beginning with Wild Doe if you are new to raw puerh as it yields an extremely smooth and delicately floral cup of golden pleasure. Silk Road is our newest discover and has a slightly more intricate flavor with ample of room for aging. When it comes to the crown jewel Queen Bee, which is a member of our Blossom Label collection, this wonderful raw puerh was harvested from the prestigious mountain region of Yiwu in spring 2020, and we will be providing it throughout 3 forms for the best convenience and satisfaction: loose, cake, and ball.

Ripe

This puerh tea uses a completely different experience than its raw type. Because of the heat and moisture applied to the rough tea throughout its production procedure, ripe puerh tea typically has a taste profile of increased earthiness and woody sweetness that some may find say it looks like a medicinal and mossy aroma. However, with every infusion and as its aging process continues, that powerful earthiness will carefully diminish to yield a far more layered flavor with its signature woodiness and a sweet date surface.

We provide ripe puerh in 2 tea cake type (Dark Stag and Everlasting) and a “loose-leaf” that are clusters formed naturally throughout the stacking process, which we named Old Dome. We suggest Old Dome as an intro to ripe puerh teas because of its practical cluster type. Dark Stag produces all the unique characteristics of a ripe puerh, with an alluring finish. And as for Everlasting, a member of our Blossom Label collection and was produced in 2015, this premium tea offers the most diverse flavors that might only be produced through several years of aging. It has been presumed by tea masters and specialists alike that the prime time to delight in a high quality ripe puerh is between 8 to ten years of aging. [1]

History of pu-erh tea

Pu-erh tea can be traced back to the Yunnan Province during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220CE). Sell Pu-erh tea began in the Tang Dynasty, became famous throughout the Ming Dynasty and was promoted in the Qing Dynasty.

Pu-erh was carried by mules and horses in long caravans along recognized paths that became called the Tea Horse Roads. Traders would barter for tea in the markets of Pu-erh County and then work with the caravans to carry the tea back to their particular homes.

The increasing need for a tea that could be easily carried and did not spoil on long journeys sent out providers on a craze to come up with ways to preserve the tea. It was found that with the fermentation of the leaves, the tea not just kept fresh however it actually enhanced with age. Individuals soon found that pu-erh likewise aided with food digestion, supplied other nutrients to their diet plan, and because it was so economical, it rapidly became a popular household amenity. Pu-erh tea was highly treasured and it ended up being an effective tool for bartering among taking a trip merchants.

Pu-erh tea today

Today, pu-erh continues to be regarded as a highly prized product. Even in modern-day society, a well-preserved pu-erh still keeps its value and remains a household treat.

In western society, the popularity of pu-erh tea is only just now being introduced to the mainstream population of tea drinkers, propagated by new hype generated by mass-media about its numerous salubrious results. It is only a matter of time prior to the charm and benefits of pu-erh tea ended up being commonplace home understanding. [2]

Pu-erh Tea Shapes

One of the more distinct attributes of pu-erh tea is its many shapes. Pu-erh frequently comes in shaped types, such as bricks, cakes (which are disc-shaped and likewise called ‘bing cha’) and ‘tuo cha’ (which are formed like tiny bowls). These shapes make the transportation and storage of pu-erh hassle-free.

Pu-erh might also remain in loose kind (like other loose-leaf teas) or packed into pomelo fruit or bamboo stalks. Periodically, it is readily available in teabags. [3]

How it’s made (Sheng Puer or “Sheng Pu-erh”)

Raw puer by standard meaning is an easy green tea. It’s picked, pan-fired, rolled, and dried. But there are subtleties that make it very various from what we would consider standard Chinese green tea and facilitate the ability for modification over time. Here’s a list of the noteworthy differences.

Selecting

Because it’s a basic item, raw leaf matters. The specific location of those plants and whether they are wild tea trees or cultivated bushes play substantial roles. For the most costly puer you are frequently spending for leaves chosen from wild trees from a really particular location. Less costly puer is normally made from cultivated plants. The one isn’t always better than the other, however enthusiasts generally focus on where the raw leaf originates from.

Pan-firing

The leaves are roasted in a big wok to prevent most enzymatic oxidation further down the line (a process called “kill-green”), but they are exempt to any more hot-air drying to totally de-enzyme the leaves, like green tea.

Drying

Puer is sun-dried, not device dried, which makes the drying procedure imperfect and protects the components for post-fermentation.

After drying, the tea (now referred to as “mao cha” or “rough tea”) is a final product that can be:.

Packaged up as-is and sold.

Pressed into cakes or other shapes and offered. The pressed cake is officially considered a “final product” and they do look really nice.

Send to become shu or “ripe” puer.

How it’s made (” Ripe” or “Shu” Puer– sometimes spelled “Shou Puer”)

As stated above, “Shu puer” (” ripe puer”) starts out as raw puer, which is then subjected to an “sped up post-fermentation” procedure, which is the specifying element of all “dark tea.” The purpose of this process for ripe puer is to mimic the results of well-aged raw puer (which takes many, many years) and condense that into a matter of 6-8 weeks. Ripe puer attains this through a technique called pile-fermentation.

Completed raw puer is piled up into long rows or single piles, moistened, and covered with a heavy cloth. This starts a microbial fermentation procedure that will last for one week. The amount of tea utilized in each batch is a key decision given that each stack is its own micro-climate and the quantity of tea used will impact the outcomes. The temperature level is thoroughly kept an eye on to stay around 160 degrees. This procedure is not different from composting, though we thought twice to discuss that. If it assures you, we consume ripe puer all the time.

Last Drying

After one week the heavy fabric covers are removed. Then a device is utilized to break up the stacks for proper air flow and re-piled so it can air dry. This pile is turned around when every week up until the procedure ends about 4 to 5 weeks later on. At this moment, ripe puer is an end product that can be packaged up loose or dispatched to be pressed into shapes prior to being sold (comparable to the raw mao cha).

What is with that Pu-erh tea taste?

Puer tea, raw or ripe, has an uncommon taste profile that is unfamiliar to numerous in the west, but once you get hooked, you never return.

Raw puer tends to have a profile of wild fruit and grain (emphasis on “wild”). There can often be heartier, gamey, borderline smoky aspects to them, however all these adjectives are a little bit of stretch, except for using “wild.”.

The shu puer result is universally dark, earthy, and smooth. You can high the leaves as long as you like and not a drop of bitterness will come through. But there is likewise a leathery, garden compost, barnyard character to them (and we indicate this with genuine flattery) that some discover to be a gotten taste.

How to Prepare Puer Tea

There is no right or wrong way to make puer tea. It can be soaked numerous methods and with several steeping tools. Here are two standard techniques to it:.

Western steeping method:

Gongfu preparation of raw (sheng) puerGongfu preparation of raw (sheng) puer.

This is for when you are soaking a lesser quantity of leaves for a longer amount of time (normally for a single mug or a teapot). This is the most typical technique in the United States and is signified by the tea bag. If you are utilizing loose leaf tea (and we recommend you do) our recommended portions for black tea are:.

For Raw Puer:

3-4 grams of dry tea leaves per 8-12 ounces of liquid. Steep for 2-3 minutes with freshly boiled water. Constantly adapt to match your tastes. Re-steep the leaves if desired.

For Ripe Puer:

3-4 grams of dry tea leaves per 8-12 ounces of liquid. Use water that has actually just been brought to a boil and steep as long as you like because the tea will not get bitter. If you steep the leaves for brief periods of time, there will be more chances for re-steeping of those same leaves. However long steeps will not leave much flavor in the leaf to extract later on.

Standard Steeping approach:

This uses a larger quantity of leaves in smaller sized amounts of water for shorter periods of time. The leaves will yield lots of steepings by doing this. There are numerous ways to do this and they are a great deal of enjoyable to explore (and absolutely no reason to be daunted). The listed below instructions are a good baseline to begin with if utilizing a gaiwan, however can be changed based upon the equipment you are using:.

Use approximately one gram of tea per fluid ounce of near boiling water in your gaiwan. Steep the leaves for 5 seconds and decant. Discard this short preliminary steep, which is referred to as a rinse. Re-steep the same leaves now for approximately 15-30 seconds. Decant into your cup or serving pitcher and delight in. Repeat as much as the leaves continue to yield satisfying results– increasing the steep time of each round. Notice not just the flavor in the cup but the fragrance and the appearance of the steeped leaves. This is all part of the experience. Adjust any above-mentioned aspect to fit your tastes.

How Much Caffeine remains in Puer Tea?

All tea originates from the exact same plant (Camellia sinensis), so all tea has caffeine, including puer. There are three elements you manage that identify how much caffeine ends up in your cup:.

1. Just how much leaf you utilize (more leaf equals more caffeine available to extract)
2. How hot you high it (the hotter the water, the more caffeine extracts into your cup)
3. For how long you steep it (the longer it soaks, the more caffeine is extracted from the leaf) [4]

8 Health Benefits of Pu-Erh Tea

1. Increases Energy

Thanks to the caffeine in pu-erh tea, consuming a cup a day can assist to increase your energy levels and focus. Every 8-ounce cup of pu-erh tea consists of about 60 to 70 milligrams of caffeine compared to the 105 milligrams in a basic cup of coffee. This makes pu-erh tea a good choice for individuals who find themselves too tense after simply one cup of coffee.

Caffeine can assist to enhance psychological focus and give you that extra increase you need to get through hard afternoons. Drinking pu-erh tea can assist you focus much better and settle in to your day. Reserving a few moments to consume a cup of pu-erh tea can assist you relax and refocus prior to returning to work energized.

2. Promotes a Healthy Heart

By consuming one cup of pu-erh tea a day, you can help to decrease your danger of cardiovascular disease while taking pleasure in a tasty, soothing beverage. Pu-erh tea aids in preventing heart problem since it assists produce lovastatin. This natural statin is commonly utilized to treat high cholesterol.

A Chinese research study reveals that pu-erh tea can help to reduce bad cholesterol, likewise known as LDL cholesterol, and prevent obesity-related illness. This research study utilized pu-erh tea on rats with high-fat diets over an eight-week period.

The rats that got pu-erh tea had lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which are typically connected with obesity. At the same time, pu-erh tea increased great cholesterol known as HDL cholesterol. Higher HDL cholesterol levels have actually been associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

3. Cleans Contaminants and Free Radicals

Pu-erh tea uses its oxidative homes to provide increased levels of oxygen, which improves circulation and blood circulation. By providing more oxygen to the brain, pu-erh tea can help combat headaches and migraines and minimizes free radicals that can trigger major health problems.

In traditional Chinese medicine, pu-erh tea has been used to aid the spleen and stomach in filtering toxins throughout the body. Pu-erh tea consists of basic sugars and microbes that assist the spleen clean blood and remove complimentary radicals. You can consume pu-erh tea daily to take pleasure in constant results or utilize it occasionally as a cleanse to restore your body’s essential functions.

4. Avoids Cancer

Research studies have actually shown that consistent intake of pu-erh tea can fight cancer and prevent the growth of brand-new cancer cells. One study by the University of Kunming Science and Innovation showed the capability of pu-erh tea components to target specific growth cells with very little side effects (3 ). A second study revealed that pu-erh tea has the ability to prevent the development of cancer cells by inhibiting cell proliferation.

Scientists think the oxidized tea polyphenols are the reason behind pu-erh tea’s prospective use in preventing or dealing with particular kinds of cancer. These polyphenols work to eliminate free radicals and help to stop the production of irregular cells. Similar to any new treatment, it is necessary to discuss your options with a physician before committing to any plan.

5. Safeguards Bone Health

It’s obvious that bones lose density and end up being weaker as you age. The risk of serious bone conditions such as osteoporosis increases as you get older and can result in hospitalizations in severe cases.

Numerous things can contribute to the weakening of bones consisting of lack of exercise and a lack of important minerals and vitamins. Smoking and drinking can likewise be contributing aspects to developing bone illness as you age.

Studies on animals have actually revealed that the polyphenols in tea can assist to establish greater bone mass and greater bone strength. These polyphenols also contain antioxidants with anti-inflammatory residential or commercial properties that help to reduce pain and discomfort.

6. Aids in Weight-loss

Pu-erh tea improves food digestion and can assist alleviate signs of constipation thanks to the existence of lovastatin in these tea leaves. The anti-oxidants and polyphenols in pu-erh teas also help in food digestion and fat breakdown.

Studies have actually revealed that pu-erh tea can assist you lose weight when combined with a healthy diet plan and exercise. Pu-erh tea suppresses the synthesis of fats, which can assist your body stop producing greater levels of fat. That does not just suggest you can consume a high-fat diet, beverage pu-erh tea and reduce weight. To accomplish any weight reduction, you’ll still require to exercise routinely and consume healthy foods.

Pu-erh tea likewise encourages your body to produce the hormonal agents epinephrine and norepinephrine, which work to reduce stores of fats. Consume one cup of pu-erh tea after a meal one or two times a day to reap the health benefits that help in weight-loss.

7. Decreases Stress

While pu-erh tea contains caffeine, that does not suggest it’ll make you wired or jittery. In fact, pu-erh tea can help to reduce tension and its inflammatory properties help in relaxation when experiencing small pains and discomforts.

Pu-erh tea contains the phyto-chemicals GABA and theanine, which have actually been attributed to lower stress levels. These phyto-chemicals increase the production of melatonin, which can aid in better sleep and a calmer disposition throughout the day.

8. Prevents Health problem

Given that pu-erh tea is high in anti-oxidants and vitamin C, drinking a cup of this brew every day can help avoid illnesses such as the acute rhinitis and flu. Pu-erh tea is fermented, suggesting it has greater concentrations of these anti-oxidants than non-fermented teas. Since pu-erh tea originates from the Camellia sinensis plant, it also has more anti-oxidants and disease-fighting catechins than natural teas. [5]

Why Tea Addicts Go Crazy for Pu-Erh?

n the war on rot, aging food is a tactical retreat. We can’t beat nature at its own video game, so we join it, and let microbes have their way with meat or cheese in the hopes of developing deeper, more complex tastes than the fresh variations can provide.

There’s less rot included when we age beverages like red wine, beer, and whiskey, however it’s still a testy alliance with nature– giving up the fresh, fiery tastes of youth for something deeper, layered, and more mature. Age, though it manifests in many forms, has a character all its own. You understand it when you taste it; you’re drinking time.

The Western world’s long liked aging all kinds of beverages, however up till the last couple years or two, the idea of using the same concepts to tea was mostly unidentified. Head over to China, though, and you quickly see that aged tea is as much a part of life as 21-year-old whiskey and valued vintages of Champagne.

Why age tea at all? A lot of tea does not so much age as turn stale and dead. However with the right environment, and the right tea, you get something absolutely distinct: a beverage that slinks down your throat and hugs your belly, relaxes your muscles and calms your mind. The best aged tea is medicine you wish to gulp, filled with bitter chocolate or stonefruit or damp, sweet soil. And for the intricacy of what you’re drinking, it can cost method, method less per serving than that bottle of old Scotch.

While you can age many kinds of tea (I’m sitting on some beautiful oolong nearly as old as my parents), none is more lusted after than the pride of Yunnan Province, a tea hundreds– if not thousands– of years in the making: pu-erh.

Pu-erh, which is processed in an unique way to motivate microbial fermentation after the leaves are dried, ages more dynamically than any tea out there. It does not have fans. It has addicts who purchase kilos of the stuff at a time to bliss out on days-long developing sessions, only dropping out of their highs long enough to argue over the very best pu-erh blends, growing areas, and storage approaches. There are grasping novices who buy, present, and drink the tea to acquire social status amongst Chinese elite. And there are pu-erh financiers, too, gambling on a particular tea’s aging potential, who construct growing futures markets and, when it comes to a major bust in 2007, crash them.

Over in the West, pu-erh is a niche market within a specific niche market. However its enthusiasts are growing. And if there’s a tea that’s ready for the big time outside Asia, this is it. [6]

Does pu-erh have caffeine?

Pu-erh is a caffeinated tea, with caffeine levels differing depending on aspects like high time, water temperature level, and the tea plant itself. Remarkably, the post-fermentation procedure has been revealed to increase caffeine content, implying ripe pu-erh is more fermented than raw pu-erh.

Although pu-erh does have caffeine, studies have hinted at its impacts on really helping improve your sleep quality. That’s since it can decrease anxiety, quiet the mind, and promote melatonin production. [7]

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Consuming pu-erh tea is perhaps SAFE for a lot of healthy adults in moderate quantities (about 4 cups daily).

Pu-erh tea is POSSIBLY risky when taken for a long period of time or in high dosages (more than 4 cups each day). Consuming large quantities of pu-erh tea might trigger adverse effects due to its caffeine content. These side effects including headache, anxiety, sleep issues, throwing up, diarrhea, irritation, irregular heart beat, tremor, heartburn, lightheadedness, ringing in the ears, convulsions, and confusion. Likewise, people who drink a great deal of pu-erh tea every day may require to consume more tea to get the exact same effects. They might also end up being “dependent” on tea to the point that they develop withdrawal symptoms if they unexpectedly stop drinking it. [8]

Stopping and withdrawal

Unless you are totally eliminating caffeine, you ought to have no problems stopping pu-erh tea, and you should not have any withdrawal symptoms.

Nevertheless, if pu-erh tea is the only source of caffeine you were consuming, or if you’re cutting out all caffeine together with pu-erh tea, you might experience some signs of caffeine withdrawal, consisting of tiredness, headaches, and problem focusing.

Still, the majority of caffeine withdrawal signs only last for about 1 week. [9]

Special safety measures and warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, pu-erh tea in percentages is most likely not hazardous. However, do not drink more than 2 cups of pu-erh tea in a day. Excessive caffeine might cause miscarriage, premature delivery, low birth weight, and damage to the infant.

If you are breast-feeding, small amounts in drinking pu-erh tea is also essential. Caffeine enters breast milk, so nursing moms ought to closely monitor caffeine intake to ensure it is on the low side. Caffeine in large amounts might be UNSAFE during breast-feeding. Caffeine can trigger sleep disturbances, irritability, and increased bowel activity in breast-fed infants.

Children: Pu-erh tea seems to be safe in children in amounts commonly found in foods and beverages.

Stress and anxiety disorders: The caffeine in pu-erh tea may make these conditions even worse.

Bleeding disorders: There is issue that pu-erh tea might make bleeding disorders worse because of its caffeine content. Usage pu-erh tea with care if you have a bleeding disorder.

Heart conditions: The caffeine in pu-erh tea can cause irregular heartbeat in some people. Use pu-erh tea with care if you have a heart disease.

Diabetes: Some research study recommends that caffeine might impact the way the body uses sugar and may make diabetes worse. But the result of caffeine-containing herbs and drinks such as pu-erh tea has actually not been studied. If you have diabetes, use pu-erh tea with care.

Diarrhea: Pu-erh tea includes caffeine. The caffeine in pu-erh tea, especially when taken in large quantities, can get worse diarrhea.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Pu-erh tea contains caffeine. The caffeine in pu-erh tea, especially when taken in large quantities, can intensify diarrhea and might aggravate signs of IBS.

An eye condition called glaucoma: The caffeine in pu-erh tea increases the pressure inside the eye. The increase takes place within thirty minutes and lasts for a minimum of 90 minutes after consuming pu-erh tea.

High blood pressure: The caffeine in pu-erh tea might increase high blood pressure in individuals with hypertension. Nevertheless, this impact might be less in people who utilize caffeine frequently.

Weak bones (osteoporosis): The caffeine in pu-erh tea can increase the amount of calcium that is flushed out in the urine. If you have osteoporosis or low bone density, caffeine should be restricted to less than 300 mg daily (around 2-3 cups of coffee). It’s also a good idea to get additional calcium to make up for the amount that might be lost in the urine. Older ladies with an acquired disorder that affects the method vitamin D is utilized should use caffeine with caution. Vitamin D works with calcium to build bones. [10]

Conclusion

Pu-erh Tea, a fermented tea that originated from the Yunnan district in the southwestern province of China, has been increasing in popularity over the past couple of years. This extraordinary drink continues to be extremely regarded even after being discovered thousand years ago due to its distinct method of production and matchless taste, flavor, and fragrance.

No matter what you choose, whether it be Raw or Ripe Pu-erh tea, you can be ensured that the Pu-erh tea does not just provide a delightful gustatory experience however also offers a wide variety of health take advantage of weight reduction to better skin health. [11]

Recommendations

1. https://www.boontea.com/post/aged-tea-puerh-tea
2. https://www.artoftea.com/blogs/tea-101/what-is-pu-erh-tea
3. https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-pu-erh-tea-766434
4. https://www.teasource.com/pages/all-about-puer-tea
5. https://senchateabar.com/blogs/blog/pu-erh-health-benefits
6. https://www.seriouseats.com/what-is-puerh-tea-where-to-buy
7. https://steepeddreams.com/blog/what-is-puerh
8. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1169/pu-erh-tea
9. https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/pu-erh-tea-benefits#stopping-and-withdrawal
10. https://www.rxlist.com/pu-erh_tea/supplements.htm
11. https://cspuerh.com/blogs/tea-101/pu-erh-tea-101