Pu-erh Tea (Raw/Sheng, Ripe/Shou)
Pu-erh Tea Detailed Introduction 🍂🍵
What is Pu'er tea? 🌿
Pu'er tea is a special post-fermented tea produced in Yunnan Province, China. Made from large-leaf tea trees, it is divided into two categories, raw tea (Sheng) and cooked tea (Shou), depending on the production process. Due to its unique fermentation and aging process, Pu'er tea's flavor develops with age, becoming increasingly fragrant and refined, making it a treasure in tea culture. Pu'er tea comes in a variety of forms, including loose tea, pressed cakes, and brick tea. Its storage time enhances its quality and value. ☁️🍃
The main difference between raw tea and cooked tea⚖️
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Raw Pu'er tea (Sheng) : After harvest, the leaves undergo sun-drying, rolling, and drying. This lightly fermented tea has a cool nature and is typically yellow-green in color. Its aroma is refreshing, with hints of floral and fruity notes, and a bitter aftertaste with a strong sweet aftertaste. Raw tea is suitable for those who enjoy a refreshing, astringent flavor with the allure of age. The flavor becomes mellower and smoother with aging.
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Ripe/Shou Pu'er Tea : Based on raw tea, this tea undergoes an artificial fermentation process, which accelerates fermentation and shifts the tea's nature from cold to warm. The resulting tea is reddish-brown in color, with a mellow and smooth taste and reduced bitterness, making it easier to drink. This makes it suitable for beginners and those who prefer a milder taste. The longer the ripe tea is stored, the mellower its flavor becomes, and its aged aroma becomes more pronounced.
Their respective characteristics and drinking experience📝
| project | Raw Tea (Sheng) | Ripe/Shou tea |
|---|---|---|
| Production process | Natural aging, without pile fermentation | Increase pile fermentation and ferment quickly |
| Tea soup color | yellow-green | Reddish brown |
| Tea Nature | Cold and irritating | Mild, smooth taste |
| aroma | Floral, fruity, honey, aged aroma | Aged, sweet, honey aroma |
| Taste | Obvious bitterness, strong sweetness | Rich and smooth, less bitter |
| Suitable for people | Those who like the complex flavor of tea and have collection needs | Beginners, those who like mild tea flavor |
| Storage changes | The longer it ages, the mellower the taste. | The aged aroma is more intense |
Health benefits of Pu'er tea 💪
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Helps eliminate fat and promote metabolism
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Anti-oxidation, delaying cell aging
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Improve gastrointestinal function and promote digestion
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Helps lower blood lipids and cholesterol
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Nourishes the stomach and warms the intestines, especially suitable for those with spleen and stomach deficiency
Brewing suggestions ☕
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Water temperature 100°C, about 5 grams of tea leaves
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Because Pu'er tea is resistant to brewing, it is recommended to brew it for a shorter time and then extend the time.
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It is generally recommended to brew for 1-2 minutes for the first time, which is suitable for piled ripe tea and aged raw tea.
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Can be paired with Pu'er tea sets such as purple clay teapots or covered bowls to enhance the brewing experience
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When drinking, pay attention to the aroma, tea flavor and aftertaste, and savor the aged flavor
Editor's Notes🌟
Pu'er tea's allure lies in its mellowing effect over time, like the finest wine of the tea world, becoming more fragrant with age. Young, raw tea can be a bit harsh and bitter, which can be irritating for beginners, while cooked tea is smoother and more mellow, making it a perfect choice for beginners. Hong Kongers love tea, and Pu'er not only helps remove greasiness and greasiness, but is also a great collectible and investment option, and a beloved companion on the tea table steeped in history and stories. We recommend exploring the differences between raw and cooked Pu'er to find your favorite flavor! 🥰🍃
