Pu Erh represents the largest Chinese tea production. Originating from Yunnan, it has conquered the world with its woody taste. Presented in cake or tuocha form, Yunnan tea can be black or green. While its journey from tea trees to teapot is epic, this infusion is endowed with cholesterol-fighting properties. Dive into Chinese Yunnan to learn everything about Pu Erh.
What are the colors of Yunnan tea?
Pu Erh, often called dark tea from China, exists, as a choice, as green tea or black tea.
Green Pu Erh: a traditional cake
Green Pu Erh tea is of Chinese origin. This beverage has been consumed in Yunnan since the 17th century. However, some wild trees suggest an older origin, over 1000 years old. The production of green Pu Erh has not changed over time. It remains compressed into a cake without any fermentation. According to purists, this is the only true Pu Erh.
Opinions on green Pu Erh differ. Some find these products too rich in bitterness with a taste of damp earth. Others appreciate their soft and delicate notes. These differences in taste are sometimes due to different trees and harvested leaves. However, this small cake of tea leaves remains the traditional Chinese drink of the Yunnan region.
Black Pu Erh: a post-fermented tea for export
Black Pu Erh is a more modern Chinese production. The tea leaves are oxidized. They change in color and taste. The product is then compressed into a cake or brick. Producers mainly intend it for export.
Pu Erh then develops infusions with more powerful aromatic notes. With a brown color, these products have undergone gentle fermentation. It is an "old" tea often aged for several years. Compressed into a cake from wild leaves, it keeps for a very long time. The taste of the product then becomes woody and sweet.
These dark Chinese teas contain less caffeine than coffee. They come from wild tea trees that give them cholesterol-fighting properties. It is therefore an excellent health drink. It is particularly appreciated in Europe, but also in other Asian countries.
Pu Erh: black tea or red tea?
The choice of color qualifier for Pu Erh, the famous Chinese tea from Yunnan, has already caused much ink to flow. Some producers sometimes use them erroneously on their products. Sold loose or in cakes, it is a true Chinese black tea, derived from tea trees.
In China as in Europe, Pu Erh is classified as a black tea because it is a post-fermented tea. It thus falls into the same category as oolong tea, another 5-star infusion whose price reflects luxury. Other black teas are called red in China, as they do not have a post-fermentation stage in their production.
What is Western red tea?
In Europe, red infusion is not a tea. It refers to rooibos infusions, an organic plant originating from South Africa that is not a tea plant at all. The real tea plant is Camellia Sinensis, although Pu Erh is also derived from Camellia Tamiensis.
However, even if it is different, this infusion is very good for health, especially for cholesterol. It can also be combined with teas for original aromatic notes.