black teas

Pu-Er Teas

Pu Er or Pu Erh, is a kind of black tea that traditionally comes from the Yunnan province in Southern China. Pu Er is differs from Long Jing and Oolong due to the length and complexity of the process to make it. Like Oolong, Pu Er is fermented or oxidised, however this process lasts longer hence the greater change in colour. Pu Er comes packed in many shapes and sizes some of which can be seen opposite. All forms however, fall into two distinct categories, Sheng & Shu (Shou) Pu Er. Sheng Pu Er translated means raw or green pu er, whereas shu/shou can be translated as cooked or baked Pu Er. Sheng Pu Er can be kept for more than hundred years whereas Shu Pu Er is deemed to be at it best between ten and twenty years old depending on quality. These can be kept longer but experts feel that the tea doesn't continue to improve after this time. As a rule of thumb the higher the quality of either type, the longer it can be kept. Normally Pu Er that is sold is between one and five years old.

It is worth noting that the older teas, though deemed highly superior to the newer ones, may seem to the first time drinker to be a little musty!  To avoid this, try a newer tea or wait for the second or third infusion.

Another difference with Pu Er tea, is that the highest quality and most sort after teas come from tea trees that can be nearly two thousand years old. Our Yunnan & Sichuan gallery has pictures of a wild tea tree that is believed to be a thousand years old which is surrounded by semi wild tea trees originally cultivated during the Song dynasty over five hundred years ago. Old trees, those over sixty to seventy years old are often refered to as Gu Shu (ancient tree). Those tea trees which are genuinely wild, which there are relatively few, are referred to as Ye Shu (wild tree). Pu Er tea that is solely from these types of teas is becoming increasingly difficult to come by and it is important to remember this when buying. More often than not pu er tea labelled as such is mixed with younger leaves. Furthermore because of the increasing demand, there are a considerable number of forged teas begin produced in GuangDong, FuJian and other tea producing regions.

Pu Er is stored very differently from Long Jing and Oolong which should be kept in air tight containers. Pu Er should be stored in a dark, warm and a somewhat moist environment to encourage the naturally occurring enzymes. It said that places located round the Tropic of Capricorn, such as Singapore, Hong Kong & other Southern Chinese provinces are the best.

Pu Er has many of the positive health effects of other teas but has been shown to be especially good at reducing cholesterol levels. Traditionally the Chinese believe that Pu Er is also very good for those with digestive problems.

There is a Chinese expression saying that Pu Er is the only antique thing that you can drink!

Please visit our Yunnan & Sichuan tea gallery to see a visual display into the production of pu er tea.