Puerh is a post-fermented tea. Especially appreciated by lovers of Chinese tea, due to its unique taste and effects on the body. Puerh is also called aged tea or earthy tea.
Pu-erh comes in a variety of flavors, from earthy notes (which is why it gets its name) to delicate nutty-woody in its finest varieties.
Unlike other types of tea, the older the pu-erh tea, the better, healthier and more expensive it is.
Pu-erh is made from the leaves and buds of the tea tree. These are mainly large leaves. After harvesting, the leaves are dried in the shade, then fried or steamed through high temperatures, ridding the tea leaves of excess moisture. Then the tea is crushed by hand or with the help of special devices and dried again in the sun or in a dry room. It turns out raw tea or mao cha.
Further, two processing options are possible, depending on what kind of tea is supposed to be prepared. For sheng pu-erh, mao cha is dried again and pressed if necessary. At the same time, Shen Pu-erh continues to age, darken and change its taste throughout its life, and this can be 20 or 30 years with proper storage.
For shu pu-erh, a method of accelerated fermentation is used, for this mao cha is collected in a heap, sprinkled with water and covered with a cloth. Under the influence of microorganisms and temperature, the aging process is accelerated. The tea is stirred regularly for even fermentation. This process takes about three months. Then shu pu-erh is also pressed or left crumbly.
The taste of shu pu-erh is more velvety and soft. Young sheng pu-erh is a little astringent, over time its taste becomes more velvety, voluminous, tart.
Initially, only Shen pu-erh (green pu-erh) existed, Shu pu-erh (black pu-erh) appeared later, when the demand for this type of tea grew strongly and it became necessary to speed up fermentation.
The only tea that can be drunk on an empty stomach, as it does not irritate the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. In small quantities, it is useful for gastritis and ulcers. Puerh strengthens teeth, aids digestion, cleanses the intestines, but can also relieve diarrhea. It removes toxins from the body, promotes weight loss, enhances vital energy, invigorates, gently tones, reduces drowsiness. Good for the heart and blood vessels. Prolongs life.
Suitable for the morning. Delicious with nuts, dark chocolate.
Try not to drink a lot of Pu-erh at night, it will be very difficult to fall asleep. One or two cups of tea for an evening drink is enough to relax, relieve fatigue.
It is better to brew pu-erh tea in a clay teapot pre-heated with hot water. The first brew is drained. The tea withstands about ten infusions. Water temperature 90-100 ° C.
To feel the taste of pu-erh, you need to drink it in small sips. It may not be possible to understand all the charm of this unique tea at once, but gradually it is pu-erh that becomes indispensable in every collection of a tea connoisseur and the best gift.
