Where does Pu Erh tea come from, this “dark” tea of Chinese origin?
Like its cousin Yunnan, the Pu Erh is an ancestral black tea originating from the Yunnan province, China. It owes its name to the eponymous town of Pu’er. At the time of the ancient tea route where the famous caravans of horses and yaks traveled, producers in Yunnan compressed Pu Erh in the form of cakes (also called "bird's nests") or bricks in order to transport it more easily to Tibet. It then also served as a currency of exchange.
Although it comes from the same plant as the majority of other teas, camelia sinensis, Pu Erh comes from varieties of tea plants with particularly large leaves. His trademark? A fermentation process very particular, exclusively reserved for so-called “dark” teas, of which it is one. Indeed, unlike green teas (non-fermented) and black teas (fully fermented), dark teas are post-fermented. Which means that they undergo a long natural fermentation phenomenon, obtained by sweating of the leaves: these are spread out, humidified then covered with a tarpaulin. It is the ambient heat (like in a greenhouse) which very gradually dries the tea and ferments it.
What are the health benefits of Pu Erh tea?
The health benefits of Pu Erh tea leaves have been recognized for millennia in China.
Renowned for its digestive virtues, the Pu Erh would be a powerful antioxidant and would purify the body, in particular by accelerating fat burning, according to very old popular beliefs. So since it contains little theine, let's not deprive ourselves of savoring it at the end of the meal too!
The specific drying method of the Pu Erh, if it eliminates the majority of its enzymes, also has the particularity of greatly reducing its caffeine level, which offers a real advantage: taking advantage of benefits of Pu Erh with complete peace of mind throughout the day, and even late into the evening. It therefore represents a very good alternative for people sensitive to this molecule. It is also said that it stimulates without irritating.
What do Pu Erh tea leaves taste like?
Its taste is light but intense! You want to take advantage of benefits of Pu Erh tea and want to know more about the taste of this special tea? We tell you everything.
The Pu Erh leaves offer a round and thick texture. They combine intense notes of undergrowth, almost earthy, with other softer accents, close to mushroom. Its liquor offers a very dark color, with some red highlights.
Another astonishing characteristic: like wine, the Pu Erh improves with time, provided it is carefully stored. The leaves can thus be preserved for several years – up to a few dozen for some – and it then increases in value and tastes even better! A particularity which makes it a rare, precious and prized tea.
How to choose a quality Pu Erh: we opt for an organic tea
And to make the most of all its benefits, Kusmi Tea recommends that you choose organic Pu Erh black tea. This designation guarantees you a pesticide-free and quality tea, produced with respect for the environment, producers and wildlife.
Our expert opinion
At Kusmi Tea, we love Pu Erh black tea. We prefer to choose it organic and in bulk in order to respect our commitments! Renowned for its distinctive notes and its quality on the palate, it is recognized for its beneficial properties for health and the body. Drinking Pu Erh black tea means enjoying the many benefits in just a few sips.