Pu-erh
Pu-erh (also Puer) is one of the most unusual teas you'll find. This tea is different in processing, storage, and taste from any other tea on earth. Because of its rarity and unique characteristics, Pu-erhs have a connoisseur following like few other teas. In this lesson we'll attempt to demystify this most unusual tea.
Pu-erh was first produced in the Yunnan Province of southern China. It is typically made with the larger, bolder Camellia Sinensis Assamica varietal. It is also the ONLY tea that is actually fermented and not just oxidized. The terms fermentation and oxidation have been used interchangeably in the tea trade in part because the Chinese historically only used one word to refer to both processes. In reality, oxidation is a purely chemical reaction whereas fermentation involves microbes. Fermentation occurs in the creation of wine, cheese, yogurt, leavened bread and pu-erh, but NOT in any other tea. Pu-erh falls into one of two general categories:
Raw (Sheng) Pu-erh is processed similar to Green tea and is sometimes pressed into various shapes (often a "toucha" or "bird's nest"). Once processing is completed, this tea can be consumed immediately as Mao Cha or aged and allowed to ferment over time. This aging process refines the tea and brings out flavors unlike any other tea. Extensively aged Pu-erhs are some of the most expensive teas on earth.
Ripened (Shou) Pu-erh undergoes a rapid aging process by piling it up and wetting it to encourage oxidation and fermentation. This rapid process requires approximately a year and is therefore significantly less expensive. Once finished, the black or ripened pu-erh will taste similar to a green or raw pu-erh that has been aged for 15 to 20 years.
The antioxidants that are prized components of other teas are largely absent in pu-erhs. That said, pu-erhs have been consumed for centuries for medicinal reasons. They are processed using healthy microbes and microflora including fungi and yeast. While this may seem disconcerting at first, it is these same healthy bacteria that are found in yogurt and that are required in our digestive systems to ensure proper function. Pu-erh is considered good for diarrhea, indigestion and high cholesterol.
Pu-erh teas have a strong, pungent aroma and flavors of wood, smoke, earth and moss. Many consider Pu-erh an acquired taste.