Pu-erh tea is a variety of post-fermented tea produced in Yunnan province, China. Post-fermentation is a tea production style in which the tea leaves undergo a microbial fermentation process after they are dried and rolled.
This is a Chinese specialty and is sometimes referred to as “dark tea.” Within China, there are different provinces that produce dark teas of different varieties. Those produced in Yunnan are generally named Pu’er, derived from the name of Pu’er County which used to be a trading post for dark tea in Imperial China.
We had the chance to go to a tea house in China and had Pu’er served to us. We loved it and brought some home! We had the Dark Aged Green variety.
There are two main types of Pu-erh tea: “Green Pu-erh” more accurately described as “Semi-green tea” and “Black Pu-erh” more accurately described as “Dark Green Tea.” Both semi-green and dark green pu-erhs are made with “Saiqing” or “sun-dried green tea.” Authentic Pu-erh teas can only be made from Yunnan’s famous broad leaf arbor tea tree varietals. The highest quality of authentic Pu-erh Teas are made with tealeaves that are hand-harvested from wild and semi-wild antique tea trees (100+ years and older).
In ancient times of China, Pu-erh Prefecture (now Pu-erh County) included Xishuangbanna, Simao and Lincang areas of Yunnan, where many famous tea mountains were located. Pu-erh was an important town in southern Yunnan and also the largest market for tea trade. Tea produced in these areas was therefore called “Pu-erh Tea”.
Benefits of Pu-erh Tea:
May help in weight loss, help digestion, warm stomach, dispel the effects of alcohol and refresh one’s mind. Pu-erh tea has functions of lowering triglycerides, cholesterol, and hyperuricemia in the body.
You can find it in many stores. Read more click here