Pu-erh stands out among the many varieties of Chinese tea. In the past few years, it has gained unprecedented popularity. This popularity he owes primarily to its powerful tonic properties, as well as the "intoxicating" effect, because of which Pu-erh is increasingly bought for everyday use, preferring it to ordinary coffee.
Some sources call imperial tea pu-erh, noting that for a long time this extraordinary drink was considered an attribute of members of the imperial family. This variety grows in the south of China, and its value depends on a huge number of factors.
The most valuable and expensive type of tea is considered, which is harvested from wild tea trees, which are more than two thousand years old. Such old trees give a very small harvest, however, the more valuable the tea that is obtained from their leaves, the more nutrients it will contain.
As a rule, such a product is sold not through stores, but through auctions, since it is considered exclusive and does not go on sale in regular outlets. Most of the imports are Puerh, harvested from ordinary tea bushes growing on plantations in the southern provinces. Its cost is available to any buyer, and the quality, nevertheless, is quite high.
What is the peculiarity of this variety? As many already know, all pu-erh teas are highly fermented teas. Other varieties are also fermented in China. An example is the famous milk oolong. Nevertheless, it is pu-erh that is subjected to the strongest fermentation. In order to acquire all the variety and richness of his taste, he must “ripen”.
Contrary to popular belief, pressed tea briquettes are not buried in the ground. A light earthy aroma may be present in the drink, but it is not due to storage, but to the characteristics of fermentation. From time immemorial, pu-erh has been stored and aged for several years, but in the twentieth century, artificial fermentation technology was created, which accelerates the process of leaf ripening. Such an "artificial" product is called shu pu-erh.
Historically, sheng pu-erh tea, "green" or raw tea, has been used. If the drink smells like earth, it is likely that a poor quality shu pu-erh was sold to you, or you prepared it incorrectly. Quality shu pu-erh tastes rich and varied, dominated by chocolate, coffee and nutty notes, it has a pleasant woody aroma, and the aftertaste may contain notes of caramel and walnuts.
