What is black puer tea? How is he good? You will find answers to these and other questions in the article. Puer tea is an exceptional beverage of its kind, which has no analogues in the world. Its best varieties are obtained from leaves that were collected not from small tea bushes, but from trees. The older the plant becomes, the finer the tea itself and the more attractive and beneficial its quality. What is famous for black Puer tea, find out below.
Feature
Puer’s originality is that he is a “living” food product, fermentation processes constantly occur in him, affecting both its quality and taste.
Pu-erh transforms annually and takes on completely new shades. Someone prefers a more mature puer, and someone likes a young, not seasoned. It's a matter of taste.
Title
The story goes that the homeland of black Puer tea was the village of the same name and the surrounding areas in Yunnan. In these places you can still find tea trees that are more than a thousand years old! The word "Pu-Er" itself looks like two Chinese characters. These symbols during the reign of the Han Dynasty called the tiny town, located 370 km south of the village of Kunming.
This place was an impressive retail outlet distributing tea throughout China. As a result, the tea itself was called Puer Cha, which meant “tea from the Puer village”.
However, the word puer is often interpreted differently. “Pu” is the abbreviated name of the bodhisattva Pusian, “er” means “ears” or “ear”. Therefore, the phrase itself marks "the ears of the bodhisattva Pusian", and this peculiarly conveys the type of some versions of Puer from the large sheet.
Cooking
How is Puer black tea made? When created, it goes through the following phases:
- Tea leaves collection.
- Withering of raw materials.
- Twisting (this term implies various effects on the tea leaf in order to mechanically destroy cells to produce tea juice).
- Pressing raw materials.
- Fermentation of Puer. This action can be carried out at the time of transportation and subsequent conservation of tea.
Tea leaves, plucked from wild trees, have a more delicate taste and a characteristic “menthol” finish. They absolutely do not tolerate technological rough processing. Of such raw materials, only Puer sheet is made, but not pressed.
An important feature of the creation of Puer is its ability to transform its taste and qualities for many years. With proper storage, tea does not spoil at all, its taste improves markedly. It becomes fuller and softer, there is no bitterness in it, and astringency is very pleasant. The price of Puerh also increases with age. At tea auctions, it can reach a couple of thousand dollars for a pancake.
"Ready" Puer or "Raw"
Few have tasted black Chinese Puer tea. It is known that before the machines were invented, this tea ripened on the way to the acquirer. Today, the demand for tea has increased significantly, and the total delivery time of the product to the client has decreased. Therefore, Puer does not have time to go through the stage of fermentation (mature completely) to the desired degree.
In the 70s of the twentieth century in China, a new technique for fast fermentation was created. According to this scheme, the tea leaf is stacked in small piles and sprayed with water. Further in the middle of this heap the temperature rises, which accelerates the fermentation.
Thus, two basic types of Pu-erh appeared - one that is produced using primary technology (Raw Puer), and one that is created using an accelerated method (Ready Puer).
Both types of Puerh have admirers, but Raw Puer is a little more interesting, since with a proper approach you can control the fermentation level yourself and, as a result, the taste of the drink.
But the control process requires some patience: after a couple of years of saving, the bitterness and rudeness of tea leaves, characteristic of young varieties, begin to disappear. After that, Puer’s taste becomes fuller, softer and softer.
It is Puers with an endurance of two to three years that are the most accessible and popular, while they have an amazing taste. If you send the tea for storage for 10-15 years, then you relish a really rare product. But in this case, to understand the taste, you must already have experience in drinking the tea we are considering. Also, do not forget that if stored incorrectly, the quality of the Pu-erh may deteriorate.
By the way, “Puer ready” does not make sense to save, unless, if you want to enjoy your favorite variety longer. Indeed, in reality, the yields of Puer of different years can significantly differ in taste. For example, like wine. In “Puer ready” special changes do not occur, exposure does not affect his taste, but it is much more difficult to spoil it.
Properties and Benefits
What are the properties of Puer black tea? Since ancient times, this food has been known for its beneficial and healing qualities. And recent studies by scientists have proven this:
- Puer from the body removes toxins and toxins. It can be drunk both for healing and for the prevention of various ailments.
- Doctors often recommend puerh to diabetics, as it reduces blood sugar. Also, ulcers can drink it without harm.
- Tea removes excess moisture from the body, helps to lose weight. The Chinese claim that Puer helps the whole body to be what it should be.
- It is a powerful tonic. The effect is similar to coffee, but it is very useful. You can drink it while driving, during exams, before training. If you drink a thermos of brewed Puer during the day, then you will feel a tremendous surge of strength and you will have a desire to realize your goals.
- Alcoholism can be cured with Puer. Science knows cases when tea helped get rid of harmful addiction. Pu-erh also reduces pressure.
A different interpretation of the types of tea
There are two types of puera: shu and shen. Shu is black tea. Many are afraid to drink it, since it is very strong. Cheap shu smells like land and fish, while normal shu smells like dried fruits and nuts. This type of tea is prepared in a quick way, it does not make sense to save it for a long time.
Shen is green Puer, and he doesn't look like black. Neither to taste when brewed, nor to smell when dry. These are almost two different teas. They are united only by primary raw materials and the appearance of the package. Shen is saved for years and only gets better over time.
There is still white Puer. This variation of tea is closer to shen, but it is distinguished in a separate type. White brewed Puerh smells of July herbs and honey. Its leaves are brownish on one side and whitish on the other.
Price
Puer black tea - an elite Chinese tea. It is prepared by a quick method, "aging" in a controlled way. This is very good, as the tea smells like dried fruits, tree bark. The color of his infusion is intense. It is strong, it appeared first in Russia, and it is precisely it that is meant when they talk about Puer.
Everything that is sold in stores usually refers to Shu Puer. It costs from 300 rubles. for 100 g and above. The best varieties of black tea Shu Puer can be purchased for 2-3 thousand rubles. That is how much a pancake costs in 357.
How to brew?
Puer before bedtime and on an empty stomach is forbidden to drink. It needs to be brewed in a small volume - tea can withstand from 5 to 15 tea leaves. Use only soft water. To brew a drink you need to have the following tools:
- Gaiwan Chinese cup with wide sides and a lid.
- A kettle for boiling and a thermos (with a glass flask) for saving hot water.
- Bowls or cups with a capacity of 30-50 ml.
- Strainer.
- Chahai. If you are drinking tea with friends, this appliance is a must. In European services, its counterpart is the milkman. It is needed in order to make the infusion the same in each cup. The infusion of tea in the chahai is poured from gaiwan, using a strainer.
For a 100 ml teapot (or gaiwani), use 10 g of dry tea. The sequence of steps is identical for all versions of Puer, but for sheet metal you can skip soaking. So, follow these steps:
- Soak. Put dry tea leaves in the haiwan and fill with water. Soak can be from 1 to 5 minutes.
- Bring the water to a boil, but do not let it "gurgle". Pour into a warm thermos.
- Pour tea into the first portion of water and drain it immediately. At this point, you remove the dust from the tea, it will begin to unfold. You will get a very pale infusion - wash them with cups and tea. Leave the steamed tea for 30 seconds under the lid in the jaiwan.
- Pour another portion of water, leave for 5 seconds. Then pour into a cup or tea, if you are alone drinking. With this first brewing, tea drinking begins.
- Future insistence needs to be reduced to 2 seconds. The infusion will turn out even brighter, its aroma and taste will be richer.
- Upcoming brews can be made longer: 5, 7, 10, 20 and 30 seconds. The necessary time for infusion of each grade of Puerh will tell experience.
By the way, some scientists claim that the low level of cancer in China is associated with the action of this tea. Try a different Puer, pick quality water, drink tea in the evening and in the morning and do not eat sweets with Puer.
Puer Tea "Black Dragon"
This is a unique black tea of the highest grade, fermented in a special way. It is made only in China and has an unusual “earthy” smell and taste. Its wonderful fermentation completely transforms the qualities and biochemistry of tea. As a result, new substances and products appear that make the infusion opaque and black, the taste is sweetish and soft, and the smell is spicy-earthy.
It is recommended to drink at least 2 cups of tea per day. This long leaf black tea is made in Yunnan province (China).
Preparation method:
- In a glass of water, take 1 tsp. dry tea.
- Brew 3-5 minutes. Insisting longer is not recommended.
Puer Tea "Black Dragon" receives only positive reviews. Buyers claim that it calms, improves mood and relieves headaches. After all, no one likes to drink pills. But if your head hurts due to a change in weather or lack of sleep, then this tea is a real salvation.
Consumers say this Puer looks like regular black tea, without bitterness. But it has a rather tangible smack of wet wood and earth. And for some, this taste seems a little strange. Of course, for many, this tea has become an indisputable favorite due to its healing qualities.