Pu erh belongs to a post-fermented tea, and sometimes classified as a dark tea (dark tea is one of the six classes of tea in China). Interestingly in China, there is some debate about whether Pu'erh actually is a “tea”, due to it having a completely distinct aging process. We of course tend to side by the argument that its made from tea leaves, and brewed in water – so its a tea!
There are various types of Pu'erh that are distinguished from their packaging (whether loose leaf or in various compacted block forms). Generally loose leaf Pu'erh, like TeaVivre's, is regarded as having the best taste and aroma, that is stimulating to drink and will last for 9 infusions by using Gaiwan 3oz.
Brief Health Info
Pu-erh tea has been touted for many years as a great weight loss tea because of its ability to help us burn fat and shed pounds, as well as having a deliciously mellow and deeply earthy flavor.
Pu erh has a mild, gentle nature to it, and so is great to drink if you have a delicate stomach or trouble drinking other teas. People in south western China usually drink this tea during meals, to help with digestion.
Of course, like the health benefits of all tea , it contains antioxidants!
Where is Our Puerh tea Produced
The original material is from Yunnan province in an area that has been producing high quality Pu erh for over 800 years. This area is on the edge of Tibet, and has a very high elevation and warm summers with abundant rainfall, giving the tea trees especially large, plump buds and leaves that are perfect for making Pu erh.
About Yunnan Large-leaf Species
Yunnan Large-leaf tea tree is a rare tea varieties in the world. It is a kind which is best to make puerh tea. Yunnan has unique advantage in its geographical position, it is rich in rainfall and its proper temperature is good for planting large-leaf tea trees. The tea leaves from this kind of tea varieties growing in this perfect environment are abundant in polyphenols, catechins, amino acids, caffeine content.
History
Pu'erh tea is one of the oldest types of tea in China, with a history stretching back over 1,700 years to the Eastern Han Dynasty, when the tea was called Jing Cha. Pu'erh is named after the town of Pu-erh in Yunnan province, which was the early trading center for this tea. In this teas early history it was used as a bartering currency in south west China. In south west China the famed Cha Ma Gu Dao - “Tea Horse Road” - was built especially to transport this tea through the Himalayas to other countries and areas in Tibet.
