By: Marina Biljak |
Pu-Erh tea – Chinese liquid gold |
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Effects of Pu-Erh tea in alleviating various health problems have been known for centuries.
Do you like tea more than coffee?
Do you enjoy those calm moments with a cup of tea and a book and the sensation of joy you get?
If your answer was “yes” on both questions, then you have certainly tried many kinds of tea, like green, black or white teas. But you maybe missed one.
Have you ever tried magical Pu-Erh tea?
This tea, which has just recently appeared on the western markets, was pronounced as one of the great Chinese treasures and everyone who ever tried it agrees with that.
They say that when it comes to taste, this tea is unlike any other tea in the world. All you need is just one taste and you will fall in love with it.
Real Pu-Erh (or Pu’er) tea is only the tea that comes from Chinese province Junan, which is known as the land of tea.
The leaves of this tea grow on old tea tree trunks along the Lancang River and each individual location has distinctive leaves.
Taste of hundred nuances
This leaves are found ranging from solid leaves growing on stems of cultivated plants to highly prized soft silver leaves picked in the wild on trees growing on heights of over 2000 meters over the sea level.
All tea leaves are sent to the city Pu'er, where each manufacturer processes leaves according to one of the old recipes in order to make a unique blend of tea. That is why this tea comes in so many different tastes.
The tea has always been a great Chinese treasure. After many explorers tasted tea, they wanted to present its beneficial effects to their countrymen and soon China started exporting tea.
There are two versions of Pu-Erh tea that differ in the way in which leaves are processed.
There is green, or sheng variety and oxidized black, shou, variety. Green Pu-Erh has centuries old tradition, while black Pu-Erh processing started in 1973.
Both varieties follow the same processing steps, but the black variety needs additional processing step – so-called “cooking”, when leaves are gathered in a pile in order to allow fermentation.
After complete processing, leaves of both varieties are stored for the aging process.
Pu-Erh can be used after three months, but it takes it five years to start developing its uniquely seasoned taste.
The older – the better
Pu-Erh tea came to life mainly because there was a need for a beverage that will be able to withstand the long voyage to its destination.
After ship or a caravan finally came to their destination, they discovered that the tea became even better because of the fermentation. That is why such storing practice came to life.
They realized that this tea is like wine – the older, the better and Pu-Erh teas that live a hundred years are considered a real collector’s treasure.
The benefits of this tea soon became famous, especially in those countries that had invariant diets that caused digestive problems.
Pu-Erh tea enhanced their digestion and introduced into their diet nutrient unavailable in their regions – all that benefits at an affordable price.
Such areas still have a tradition of drinking Pu-Erh tea every day.
Health benefits
This tea is not called “the healthy tea” without a reason. Its healing properties are mind-boggling.
This cold fermented tea contains an abundance of microorganism important for our intestinal flora and immunity.
It also contains many vitamins, such as B1, B2, C and E, minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium and iron.
Researches confirm that Pu-Erh tea:
- reduced cholesterol levels
- enhances digestion
- strengthens the immunity
- help with the heartburn
- regulates blood pressure
- stimulates circulation
- protects heart and blood vessels
- enhances weight-loss
It is also believed that it ensures the longevity to people that regularly consume it. It is very good for men since it had beneficial effects of the prostate.
How to make Pu-Erh tea
Use the following recipe.
Boil the water and pour 2.5 dcl of hot water over a teaspoon of Pu-Erh tea. Use 1 tablespoon of tea for each 1 liter of water.
Keep it under the lid for 2-5 minutes and then filtrate the mixture.
You can use tea leaves 4 or 5 times.
Pu-Erh tea can be found in houses of tea and its price is around 10 EUR for 10 grams, which is a sufficient quantity for 20 days.
If you have not yet tried Pu-Erh tea, we are sure that its numerous benefits will encourage you to go to the nearest tea store and try this Chinese treasure.
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