Pu-erh tea is a type of Chinese tea that undergoes an extra fermentation process to make it taste earthy and old. It is a unique type of tea that can actually age and change in flavor over time. The process of making pu-erh is an ancient form of preserving tea that originated in China in the 1600s.
Pu-erh is known as “dark tea” because it isn’t as light and refreshing as green or black teas. Today, pu-erh enjoys a worldwide audience with many types being produced by many different companies including major commercial brands that allow consumers to purchase ready-made versions of this earthy and complex beverage.
Pu-erh tea is known as one of the healthiest types of teas due to its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects, which makes it a great substitute for coffee or other caffeinated beverages.
Containing about 70% caffeine, pu-erh tea is one of the most powerful stimulants out there. It is especially good for those with busy lifestyles who need a good pick-me-up.
Pu’erh tea can be consumed in two ways: loose leaf or in processed forms like powder and capsules. Most of the time, people drink it straight up but if you are trying to avoid caffeine completely, you can substitute it with coffee or black tea.
History of Pu-erh Tea
Pu-erh tea is a type of black tea that was invented in the Song Dynasty of China. It had its first recorded mention in the “Yun Shou” (“Record of Tea ”) by Lu Yu during 634 AD. The name Pu-erh means “fermented tea”, and it is said to have originated from the Buddhist Monk XuanZang during his 16 years pilgrimage that resulted in him finding a fragrant cup at an ancient tomb. He then brought back secret spores and craftsmen who made this style of tea with these spores for over three hundred years before it was finally forgotten about until Lipton began mass producing Pu-Erh in 1904.
Although the history of Pu-Erh tea is ancient and only a small percentage of this type of tea is found outside China and Hong Kong, the name Pu-Erh is the general term for fermented tea. There are hundreds of sub-styles within the overall category, some with very unique names (Sunset Clouds, Snowy Peak, Ancient Tree, Old Man Tea, etc.). The Chinese name for fermented black tea is “Shou Ching” or “Yin Zhen”. Most types are produced in Yunnan province in southwest China where there are many different varieties ranging between two hundred fifty to three hundred. There are also some made in Tibet, Vietnam and India.
How is Pu-erh tea Made?
Pu-erh tea is a type of dark tea, which sits in its production region of Yunnan. The leaves are picked from the tea tree, and then processed to reduce the tannins. There are various ways to process pu-erh, with some taking as little as six months and others taking up to ten years or more.
The tea is then stored to mature. Maturation can take decades, with the end goal of increasing the tea’s taste, aroma and color. The longer pu-erh is left to age, the more expensive it becomes.
Pu-erh tea leaves are then compressed into cakes and bricks. The leaves are pressed and formed into a shape that allows for easy trading or transportation of the tea. Pu-erh is often consumed in knife shaped slices that are ripped off and then later steeped in hot water to release its flavor.
Pu-erh Tea Production
The tea is produced in the Pu-erh village, which is a part of the prefecture of Yunnan, China. The people living in the area are called the Pu-erh people or Yunnan Pu’erh Crafters. Lush green tea fields surround the tea houses, with small groves of trees standing tall and proud.
There are many methods to process pu-erh tea, all with different effects on results and taste. The most common is hand processing for every other year, where expert craftsmen use stone and sand to remove the moisture from the leaves after picking.
The leaves are left to dry for about a week and then stored. They are then fermented, pressed and aged for anywhere from three months to ten years. The tea is usually kept in bamboo baskets or wooden chests. In the production area, there is a couple of hours between picking and pressing for each batch, so that the tea can continue to develop its flavor when it is pressed.
The methods can also vary depending on which manufacturing company is involved in the pu-erh making process. Some may use stainless steel tanks (large ones), others may use stone mills instead of hand-operated ones, while some may even combine both methods.
Active Components
Pu-erh tea, which is naturally produced from Camellia sinensis, is the combination of a variety of active components that have specific odor, tang, color, and health benefits. These active components are called polyphenols, which have antioxidant effects.
These polyphenols can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer in humans. The main active components of Pu-Erh Tea are tannin, caffeine, and amino acid. Some other active components include quinine, xanthines (theophylline), antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E, etc. The amount, composition and concentration of these active components vary according to the tea brand and origin.
Health Benefits of Pu-erh Tea
People are always looking for ways to live healthier, lose weight, and get more energy. One way to accomplish these goals is through drinking pu-erh tea. This type of tea provides many benefits without the side effects that can come with other beverages. Some key benefits are –
Boosts the Immune System
One of the biggest benefits of drinking pu-erh tea is that it helps to strengthen the immune system. Drinking pu-erh tea can help build up your body’s resistance to different types of diseases and illnesses.
Aids in weight loss
Pu-erh tea is a great option for those who are looking to lose weight. It does not contain any fat or sugar, so it will never contribute to weight gain. In addition, because pu-erh tea can boost the immune system and increase overall energy levels, you will have more energy to get through the day without getting tired. Pu-erh tea gives you energy without the crash that can come with energy drinks or high sugar snacks and drinks.
Cleansing
Pu-erh tea has detoxifying capabilities. It contains ingredients that can help your body rid itself of toxins and harmful substances that build up naturally during daily activity, especially as you get older. If you drink pu-erh tea on a regular basis, it can flush out these harmful substances so that your body maintains a healthy level of toxins.
Energy
Drinking pu-erh tea boosts energy levels for many people who do not want to rely on caffeine to help them get through the day or evening. Some who drink pu-erh tea say that the energy it provides is clean and does not cause them to feel jittery or nervous. Drinking pu-erh tea throughout the day can give you the boost in energy you need without any of the negative side effects associated with drinking caffeinated beverages.
Heart Health
Many people claim that pu-erh tea helps to improve heart health. It does this by lowering cholesterol levels and reducing triglycerides in your body. Some also say that drinking pu-erh tea on a regular basis helps with weight gain or obesity, which is another risk factor for heart disease.
Arthritis Pain
Many people who suffer from arthritis say that drinking pu-erh tea helps to reduce their pain. It is believed that some of the nutrients found in this type of tea have anti-inflammatory properties. This can help alleviate some pain caused by arthritis and also reduce the swelling in joints associated with the disease.
Antioxidant Properties
As mentioned above, pu-erh tea has anti-inflammatory properties, but it also contains antioxidants. These ingredients can help protect your body’s cells from damage and they can even boost immunity to protect against disease and illness.
Digestive Health
Pu-erh tea can help with digestive issues due to its high level of dietary fiber. This aids in the elimination of toxins, especially as you age. Some studies have shown that drinking pu-erh tea is effective for aiding in the treatment of ulcers, gallstones, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Improve liver health
Pu-erh tea has been shown to help improve the health of the liver and the function of enzymes within it. This can help prevent damage to your liver, which can lead to a number of health complications.
Heart Palpitations
Some people who drink pu-erh tea say that it helps with heart palpitations. The caffeine in this type of tea has been shown to have an action similar to adrenaline, which is associated with stimulating heart activity and reducing these palpitations.
Drinking pu-erh tea is also a great option for treating insomnia. This can especially be helpful when you are having difficulty sleeping due to stress or depression. The curative effects of pu-erh tea can also be used for treating digestive problems such as IBS and constipation. This tea offers relief to the stomach, intestines, and spleen when consumed regularly.
One more benefit on top of the rest! Pouring hot water over pu-erh tea increases the bioavailability of its catechins (a powerful antioxidant) by up to 14 times so it would make sense that this one is another great way to fight aging while you sip away!
How to Prepare Pu-erh Tea?
Pu-erh tea is the kind of tea traditionally drunk in China, but nowadays it has been gaining popularity across the globe. One easy way to prepare this tea is as a pot of boiling water with about 6 grams of whole leaves for every 100 milliliters (or g) water and a little spring water. Boil for about 2 minutes, then let steep for 10-11 minutes and strain or squeeze out any leftover liquid from the leaves before serving.
There are many other ways to prepare this tea that are used as well by some people who prefer them over the traditional method of boiling water and steeping. You can learn them in Pu-erh Tea Recipe.
Safety and Precautions
Pu-erh tea is known to be a healthier alternative to other types of teas and while it’s very rare that you’ll find any side effects, if you do happen to experience one then this is what you should keep in mind:
- Pregnant women should avoid drinking pu erh tea because it is believed that the caffeine content may interfere with fetal development. Tea made from white tea, green tea or oolong does not have this effect so can be consumed in moderation by pregnant women.
- It’s also always important to remember that like anything else buddhism and meditation are two separate aspects of life so they must always be practiced in moderation – both physically and mentally. This is why it’s important to drink your pu-erh tea in moderation.
- If you’re allergic to any plants, then please don’t drink pu-erh tea.
So while you have learnt a lot about Pu-erh tea in this article, you need not think twice to start drinking it. Sipping the tea only for the first time will not only provide you with exceptional taste but also offer a broad spectrum of health benefits from weight loss, heart health, arthritis pain to better skin health and more.
In short, Pu-erh tea must be on your list of most favorite tea types, as it has everything you cherish.
