Puer tea is often associated with distinct earthy flavors and a full-bodied taste that improves with age. Even if you are a newcomer to the world of Puer, knowing its health benefits and preparation will enable you to appreciate this antique tea even more. This post explores the specifics of the making, health benefits of the Puer tea, and the growing prevalence of this type of tea in the contemporary world.
What Makes This Puer Tea So Special?
Puer tea, unlike most other teas, can be stored for a long time and will taste better due to its aging process. Puer tea comes in Sheng (raw) and Shou (ripe) forms. By itself, Sheng Puer is fermented over time, while Shou Puer is fermented in a high temperature environment to expedite the aging process. Instead, Sheng Puer matures with time, while Shou Puer is robust even when young.
Production Process of Puer Tea
Production of Puer tea requires the hard work of withering, rolling and drying the tea leaves after they are picked. These first steps are followed by a further fermentation step which varies in duration from months to years depending on the type of Puer being produced. Sheng Puer is the type of puer tea which ages naturally while Shou Puer has more rapid fermentation in order to speed up the maturing process in terms of flavor development.
The flavor of the tea is, in part, affected by the amount of fermentation a tea undergoes. In case of Sheng Puer, youngsters can have a sharp bitterness but with time the bitterness subsides to a smoother or mellow tone. While in case of Shou Puer, even in first paced cup the tea drinker shall experience delicious earthy taste.
Health Benefits of Puer Tea
Puer tea contains a number of antioxidant elements together with some good health promoting compounds. Benefits that can be derived from Puer tea include:
Digestion: Many consumers of Puer tea use it after their main meals seeking to enhance their digestion and gut health.
Weight Management: Regular drinking of Puer is likely to accelerate metabolism which is an advantage for weight management.
Heart Health: Some studies indicate that Puer tea may assist people to reduce their cholesterol levels which may be healthy for their heart.
Puer tea is particularly appreciated by tea drinkers for its relaxing properties, relief from stress, and achieving mental clarity.
Steps in Brewing Puer Tea
In making Puer tea, pour hot water over the tea leaves for a few seconds and discard it in order to get rid of dirt, dust, and other foreign matters. The water should be