Pu Er History

Not only Yunnan is the origin of world's tea trees but also the reputable native place of Puer tea. According to 'Xu Bo wu Zhi' (or 'A Sequel To Cyclopaedia Of Natural Science') written by Li Shi in Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 A.D.), people living in the juncture area of Tibet, Yunnan and Sichuan drank Puer tea as early as Tang Dynasty (61 8-907A.D.) during which tea trade was also flourishing. Zhao Xuemin (circa 1719-1805 A.D.), a physician and famous pharmacist of Qing Dynasty, wrote in his 'Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi' (or 'A Supplement To The Compendium Of Materia Medica') that Puer Tea (sometimes spelled "Puerh Tea", "Pu-er Tea" or "Puer Tea") Tea was a namesake specialty of Puer Prefecture. An important town in Yunnan province now known as Puer County , Puer is a distributing center of tea. Where as Mt. Liuchashan ( Six Famous Tea Mountain ) - a Specific place from which Puer tea produced, is situated within the prefectural boundary of Xishuanbanna in Simao District. Renowned for its scenic mountains, mild climate, frost-free winter and spring, abundant rainfall, nebulous ambience and fertile soil, the place is the native centre of origins of world's tea trees.

In accordance with an ancient Dai document of Xishuanbanna , Yunnan had tea trees planting some 1,700 years ago. There is an old tea tree called the 'King of tea trees' still growing on Nannuo Mountain in Menghai County of the same prefecture. In 1961, a large wild tea tree was discovered in the primeval forest on Dahei Mountain of the same county. That tree rose 32.1 m high with a diameter of 1.03m and its age was over 1,700 years old. Exuberant and verdant, it still can yield quality tea leaves. Yunnan's favourably natural conditions are suitable for the breeding of its large-leaf tea trees which feature early budding, strong buds, long growth period, tender leaf texture, etc. They have become unique materials for preparing Puer Tea.

Different from black tea and green tea, Puer tea leaves are processed from large-leaf and dried Qingmao tea through special fermentation. They are broad and brownish red in colour. When preparing tea, a pleasantly mellow fragrance exudes. Puer tea is in fact a rare health drink for all ages. Literati throughout Chinese history had highly praised the beverage. Wang Yu of Song Dynasty. Zhao Xuemin of Qing Dynasty and Cao Xueqin (author of 'Dream of the Red Mansion ') had Puer tea mentioned in their works.

Receiving popularity among consumers in some 20 countries and regions upon its entering into international markets is not a fortuity for Puer tea. A medical experiment conducted by a hospital in France proved that regular consumption of the tea can apparently lower blood lipid by 13%(3 cups/day in one month). The tea can also lower the alcoholic contents in blood. Besides, over 40% of the subjects which drink Puer Tea lose their weight for different extents obviously for people of the 40-50 age group. For lowering lipid matters, 34% were tested with excellent result and 33% good, Triglyceride, cholesterol and uric acid can be lowered to various levels as well. Thus, Puer Tea is renowned as slimming tea or health tea in Japan , Italy , Hong Kong , Macao , etc.

A clinical test conducted by Kunming Medical Institute proved that Yunnan Puer Tea has a higher curative effect than clofibrate, a medicine to cure lipemia. Same effect has been verified on lowering cholesterol level. No side-effect occurs for regular consumption. Recent medical experiments also report that Puer Tea decoction (100g of tea to be boiled in 700m1 water and take q.i.d.) is bacteriostatic, especially effective against bacillary dysentery. Therefore, regular consumption of Puer Tea can promote dysentery too. Unlike other stimulating black teas and because of its mild nature, Puer tea can cut the grease, help digestion, promote body fluid secretion, quench thirst, vigorate the spleen and dispel alcoholic toxics.

Yunnan Puer tea is available in compressed and bulk forms. Compressed teas (known as Tuocha) include Yunnan Green Tuocha and Yunnan Puer Tuocha (bowl-shaped), Yunnan Chi Tsu Beeng Cha (full-moon-shaped), Puer Square tea cakes (square-board-shaped), Puer tea Bricks (rectangle-shaped). They are famous produce of tea factories in Xiaguan, Menghai and Kunming . Bulk tea features broad, stout and brownish red tea leaves with brightly red decoction and unique mellow flavour. Dozens of Yunnan 's tea factories produce bulk Pu-reh tea and the tea is sold abroad in numerous brand names.

which drink Puer Tea lose their weight for different extents obviously for people of the 40-50 age group. For lowering lipid matters, 34% were tested with excellent result and 33% good, Triglyceride, cholesterol and uric acid can be lowered to various levels as well. Thus, Puer Tea is renowned as slimming tea or health tea in Japan , Italy , Hong Kong , Macao , etc.

A clinical test conducted by Kunming Medical Institute proved that Yunnan Puer Tea has a higher curative effect than clofibrate, a medicine to cure lipemia. Same effect has been verified on lowering cholesterol level. No side-effect occurs for regular consumption. Recent medical experiments also report that Puer Tea decoction (100g of tea to be boiled in 700m1 water and take q.i.d.) is bacteriostatic, especially effective against bacillary dysentery. Therefore, regular consumption of Puer Tea can promote dysentery too. Unlike other stimulating black teas and because of its mild nature, Puer tea can cut the grease, help digestion, promote body fluid secretion, quench thirst, vigorate the spleen and dispel alcoholic toxics.

Yunnan Puer tea is available in compressed and bulk forms. Compressed teas (known as Tuocha) include Yunnan Green Tuocha and Yunnan Puer Tuocha (bowl-shaped), Yunnan Chi Tsu Beeng Cha (full-moon-shaped), Puer Square tea cakes (square-board-shaped), Puer tea Bricks (rectangle-shaped). They are famous produce of tea factories in Xiaguan, Menghai and Kunming . Bulk tea features broad, stout and brownish red tea leaves with brightly red decoction and unique mellow flavour. Dozens of Yunnan 's tea factories produce bulk Pu-reh tea and the tea is sold abroad in numerous brand names.

General Process of making Puer Tea

After tea leaves are being picked, it goes thru a process of “killing the green” in order to eliminate the grassy taste and to control oxidation.

Then it is taken to the kneading process just like red tea.

Then it goes thru the “stacking” process, a process that allows the tea to oxidize till the leaves turns dark brown.

Tea is then brought to further kneading and then dried.

Different kinds of tea goes thru some unique process in order to form the different shapes of the tea. You may find more information at the product description.

Health Benefits of Puer Tea

It's soothing properties aids digestions, best after heavy greasy meals.

Lowers cholesterol

Blood cleansing properties aids in weight loss.

Character

This tea is commonly known to be earthy with a woody aroma. It has a full body and strong taste. Good quality Puer tea are extremely smooth in texture.

Brewing Method

Tea ware : Yi Xing clay pot or Chinese Gai Wan

Water Temperature : 100°c hot water

Warm tea ware by rinsing them with hot water

Pour approximately 7g of black tea leaves into pot, pour hot water into pot and discard water (for cleansing and releasing flavor of the tea)

Pour water and steep tea leaves water for 1-2 minutes for the first brew and increase steeping time for subsequent brewing.