If you're interested in trying traditional Chinese teas, Pu-erh should be on your list. Closely related to green tea, this herbal tea comes in several ancient and modern varieties. This guide answers the most common questions regarding Pu-erh tea. 

A Guide to Pu-erh Tea

What is Pu-erh tea? 

This drink is a sun-dried green tea (Maocha). You can find three distinctive types of Pu-erh—loose, pressed, and bagged. Generally, it's aged over a long period of time to enhance the taste. Traditional Pu-erh starts raw and then goes through a long process of fermentation to create its distinctive flavor. However, a new variety of this tea emerged in the 1970s that relies on a shorter fermentation process. By contrast, traditional Pu-erh teas would ferment for between 10 and 30 years before being consumed. 

What are the similarities and differences between Pu-erh and green tea?

Tea producers use similar processes to make Pu-erh and green teas. For Pu-erh, they use single-bud flowers that have three or four leaves, while green tea is made with single-bud flowers that have one or two leaves. The extra leaves are crucial to the manufacturing process since these leaves are the most mature and flavorful. The leaves are then fried in a pan in slightly different ways to achieve a specific texture and result. From there, Pu-erh leaves are sun-dried. Fresh Pu-erh and green tea have a very similar taste, but as Pu-erh ages, it takes on a more complex and unique flavor. The color turns from green to yellow. 

How can you tell the difference between raw and ripe Pu-erh?

Ripe Pu-erh evolves over time due to the fermentation and oxidization process that happens after it's made. Raw Pu-erh, by contrast, is made with little to no fermentation. It has a strong, bitter, and astringent taste that changes over time. Ripe Pu-erh has already undergone fermentation, so it has a thick, smooth, and sweet taste. 

How do you brew Pu-erh tea?

Use the traditional Gongfu method to make this herbal tea. You'll need a Yixing clay pot and some small cups to dispense the tea. Brewing with this method only takes several minutes and produces a rich and flavorful result. 

If you want to try Pu-erh tea, visit Tumblewood Teas in Big Timber, MT. This local company carries all sorts of unique teas from around the world. You can find many teas in loose-leaf or sachets along with different tools and accessories for brewing. Learn more about what they have to offer online or give them a call at (406) 932-9641.