If you are relatively new to enjoying tea or haven’t ventured far past one or two varieties of tea that you truly love, then you have more to explore. A whole class of teas called pu-erh (pronounced just as you would sound these letters out) awaits you. Read on and you may just be tempted to give them a try.
What is Pu-erh?
Pu-erh is a variety of tea that is closest to what we know of as a black tea, but in China it is known as a red tea. The tea leaves that make a pu-erh are typically from the Yunnan province of China and are fermented and aged. Though it may look like a black tea, one sip will tell you that it has a much more rich and earthy taste to it. The leaves undergo a system much like composting to arrive at this taste. They are then left as loose leaf teas or pressed into a form such as cakes or (as we have in our stores) tuochas, meaning nest shapes. To arrive at their unique taste, pu-erh teas undergo a process of aging that involves fungal and bacterial fermentation ranging from half to a whole year or more, in an atmosphere of controlled humidity. Some of the highest prized teas in China are aged to 35 years.
Tempted to try a cup?
Although the process may not sound very appealing to your palate, consider other foods that undergo a fermentation process or require a bacterial component. Sour dough breads, yogurts, cheeses, sauerkraut, ketchup, soy sauce, miso and many more undergo some sort of fermentation. These types of foods are also rich in probiotics, vitamins and minerals, but before we get too off the topic of good tasting tea, take a whiff of a pu-erh tea. You may just be tempted to taste it.
Pu-erh’s Ancient History
Dating back nearly 5,000 years tea was such a prized trade item, that it was sometimes used as currency. As a result, it was packed and shaped to endure long journeys to trade with ethnic groups bordering China. Tibetans were especially fond of the rich, bitter and sweet taste of pu-erh and its aid to digestion. They were known to trade horses for cakes of pu-erh. The trade-route road even took on the name of the prized drink. It was dubbed the “Ancient Tea-Horse Road,” and first appeared from 618-907 (during the Tang Dynasty), winding through the Yunnan province of China.
A tea this enduring and prized is at least worth a try. Next time you are in an adventurous mood at tea time, choose from our selection of pu-erh teas. Let us know what you think.
