The emergence of Pu-erh tea. The scent of tea with history.

Pu-erh tea is named after its origin – Pu-erh House in Yunnan Province, which has been spread since the Qing Dynasty. In fact, there are many traces of Pu-erh tea before that time but it wasn’t named “Pu’er”. Nowadays, Pu-erh refers to the tea made from the large-leaf tea species in Yunnan.

People who are knowledgeable about tea know that real Pu’er tea is not such a simple tea and requires long history and exquisite traditional craftsmanship before it can be called a good tea.

⚑ Read More ⚑
Chinese Tea Culture [6 Tea Types] Origin of Tea

The production of Pu-erh tea, meticulous craftsmanship.

Pu-erh tea is distinctively different from other teas and can be identified by its shape, colour and smell. Some forms of Pu-erh tea are firm compressed cakes. Together, let’s discover the exquisite craftsmanship of Pu-erh tea.

At present, the Pu-erh teas that can be seen on the market can differ in appearance and are mainly divided into firm and loose Pu-erh tea. Loose Pu-erh tea is sold after being made into Maoqing tea and firm Pu-erh tea is sold after the tea leaves are pressed into a compact state by autoclaving.

The production program of Maoqing tea is similar to other teas, where the tea leaves that have been harvested, withered, blanched and rolled. The main difference between the different types of tea is the smell which can vary depending on the weather, temperature and state at the time of making. Loose Pu’er is sold after going through these production processes.

Moreover, the firm Pu-erh tea is made into Maoqing tea after the above process. It is divided into two categories, raw tea and cooked tea. Cooked tea is mainly boiled before autoclaving. In the process, thearubigin and theabrownin will be produced, which is the stacking process. This kind of Pu-erh tea will turn into sweet tea after about two months. As for raw tea, the stacking step is omitted. It is placed directly into the autoclave to make firm Pu-erh tea. Therefore, raw tea usually needs to undergo many years of ageing before it becomes drinkable.

The production process of Pu-erh tea：

1. Collecting: collect tea leaves
2. Withering: reduce the moisture of tea leaves by air-drying tea leaves indoors or outdoors.
3. Blanching: use high temperature to prevent tea fermentation.
4. Rolling: destruction of tea cells allows quick release of flavours when tea is steeped.
   — The above process is the production program of Maoqing tea, which is loose Pu-erh tea —

    

5. Piling: The tea leaves are boiled with water to hydrolyze the intracellular plant protein into amino acids. It converts chlorophyll into thearubigin and theabrownin, which is the production process required for cooked tea.
6. Autoclaving: After steaming the soft tea leaves, they are pressured into a compact shape. Different tea factories will have different tea cake shapes, such as tuo-shaped, cake-shaped, brick-shaped or pumpkin-shaped, etc.

 

Storage of raw Pu-erh tea.

Mentioned above, the raw Pu-erh tea is stored and aged before it can be transformed into a drinkable cup of Pu-erh tea. Additionally, according to the storage environment of Pu-erh tea, it will also affect the subsequent flavour. Mainly it can be divided into dry storage and wet storage.

● Dry storage: the longer conversion time. However, due to long-term and slow conversion procedures, it can make the flavour of Pu-erh tea better but the price is relatively high.
● Wet storage: the shorter conversion time. The tea brew has a light taste and a reddish colour, which is not as sweet and fragrant as the dry-stored product.

⚑ Read More ⚑
Top 5 Green Tea Benefits – 7 Types You Can’t Miss!
Top 7 Best Black Tea Types in Taiwan!

Pu-erh Tea Benefits

Do you know the value of Pu-erh tea? Why do so many people eagerly collect Pu-erh tea? Is it just for investment? In fact, Pu-erh tea has many benefits that we may not be aware of! Let’s explore them together!

1. Antioxidant – Pu-erh Tea Benefits

Pu-erh tea contains various antioxidant components, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, tea compounds, and amino acids. It is a treasure that helps the body resist oxidation and aging.

2. Promotes Digestive Peristalsis – Pu-erh Tea Benefits

Some people may experience stomach pain when drinking tea due to the cool nature of tea leaves. However, Pu-erh tea is gentle on the stomach as its tea leaves have undergone transformation and oxidation, offering stomach-nourishing benefits.

3. Cardiovascular Protection – Pu-erh Tea Benefits

Common cardiovascular issues like hypertension and blood clotting are often caused by inadequate blood circulation due to blood vessel blockages. The tea polyphenols and vitamin C in Pu-erh tea help with antioxidant effects, promote blood circulation, and inhibit enzymes that cause blood vessels to constrict. Additionally, tea polyphenols and pigments assist in preventing blood clotting, serving as a preventive measure against cardiovascular diseases.

4. Lowering Cholesterol – Pu-erh Tea Benefits

The theabrownin in Pu-erh tea helps inhibit cholesterol synthesis, lowering cholesterol levels in the blood, as well as concentrations of triglycerides and free fatty acids. It also inhibits the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein, making it a popular choice for women looking to maintain their physique.

5. Calming Nerves – Pu-erh Tea Benefits

• Tea Components: Pu-erh tea contains amino acids, tea polyphenols, and other substances believed to have a soothing effect on the nervous system.
• L-Theanine: L-Theanine in Pu-erh tea may help elevate gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels, a neurotransmitter associated with calming effects.
• Relaxation Effect: Some individuals claim that drinking Pu-erh tea provides a mild relaxing sensation, aiding in improving mental well-being and enhancing sleep quality.

6. Weight Management – Pu-erh Tea Benefits

• Tea Polyphenols and Caffeine: The tea polyphenols and a small amount of caffeine in Pu-erh tea may stimulate metabolism, contributing to fat metabolism.
• Fat Oxidation: Some studies suggest that Pu-erh tea may promote fat oxidation, a crucial process in weight management.
• Feeling of Fullness: Some believe that Pu-erh tea can increase the feeling of fullness, reducing food intake and assisting in weight management.

7. Lowering Blood Pressure – Pu-erh Tea Benefits

• Tea Polyphenols and Microbial Substances: These components are believed to have a positive impact on vascular function, helping to lower blood pressure.
• Antioxidant Effect: Antioxidants help maintain vascular health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

8. Lowering Blood Sugar – Pu-erh Tea Benefits

• Effect of Tea Polyphenols on Insulin Sensitivity: Some studies suggest that tea polyphenols in Pu-erh tea may help increase cell sensitivity to insulin, thereby reducing blood sugar levels.
• Inhibiting Sugar Absorption: Some components in Pu-erh tea are believed to inhibit the absorption of sugar in the intestines, helping to stabilize blood sugar.

It’s important to note that these effects are still in the research stage, and the efficacy of Pu-erh tea may vary due to differences in tea quality, brewing methods, and individual differences. For individuals with specific health conditions, it is advisable to consult a professional doctor before consumption. Overall, moderate consumption of Pu-erh tea, combined with a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle, may contribute to overall well-being.

⚑ Further Reading ⚑
How to Brew Tea? ABoxTik of Tea Series
6 Best Herbal Tea of 2024 & Premium Herbal Series

How to make Pu-erh tea?

Making Pu-erh tea is similar to making other teas, yet, the tea brewing method can be changed according to the selected Pu-erh tea such as raw or cooked. The higher the temperature when brewing tea, the more aromatic it will be. But generally, the temperature of raw Pu-erh should not be too high.

Pu-erh tea can be continuously brewed more times than ordinary tea leaves because the substances contained in it are constantly fermented and transformed over time, and the taste is fragrant and long-lasting.

The steps of making Pu-erh tea

1. Pry tea: To remove the leaves from the firmly compressed tea. When prying tea, attention should be paid to ensure removing it evenly, this will improve the performance of Pu-erh.
2. Put tea: Put the tea leaves into the utensils and brew with the following ratio: 6-7 grams of tea : 100 grams of water
3. Wash tea: Discard the hot water for brewing Pu-erh tea immediately after 3 seconds. This is mainly to wash away the dust and impurities on the surface of the tea, as well as to kill the bacteria in the tea. Some people wash tea twice which can be in accordance with personal preference.
4. Brew tea: The soaking time of Pu-erh tea does not need to be too long, approximately 20~30 seconds, which can be changed by personal preference. Additionally, the more times the tea is soaked, the more duration flexibility for soaking.

Moreover, Pu-erh tea can actually be cold brewed and hot brewed. The process of making cold brew Pu-erh tea is no different from any other cold brew tea, which can be made by pouring room temperature water followed by leaving it to set in the refrigerator. On the contrary, the time of making tea can be changed according to personal preference which has no definitive answer. Most people will boil Pu-erh tea for more than 20 to 30 minutes. However, the only caveat is that brewed tea is not recommended for raw tea under 15 years of age.

⚑ Further Reading ⚑
Cold Brew Tea | Reveal the secret of making a cup of great tea！
Pouchong tea origin | What are the features of Pouchong tea and what variety is it?

ABoxTik takes you to explore the history of tea.

How much do you know about the thousands of years of tea history? In addition to the tea from the beverage shops, have you ever brewed a pot of tea for yourself? People always say that tea is not just tea, but experience and understanding. With different people, situations, habits, and also different temperatures, the aroma of the brewed tea also varies slightly.

ABoxTik does not only offer a superior range of tea leaves but also delivers the surprise and attentiveness of a Taiwanese boutique. Therefore, this time ABoxTik wants to tell you, that if you also want to know more about tea culture, please continue to pay attention to the update on ABoxTik exquisite tea. Discover more about our Taiwanese culture through tea.