The Pu-erh Brick: the famous compressed black tea from Yunnan
Pu-erh, also spelled Puerh, is an ancient tea originating from the province of Yunnan, in China. Enjoyed for over 1,000 years, Puerh holds a cherished place in Chinese tea culture. This remarkable black tea is a product of rare character, born from the wild trees that grow across the mountains of Yunnan. The leaves are withered, then dried, before the organic Puerh is compressed into cakes or bricks. This age-old technique once allowed tea traders to carry Puerh along the ancient tea routes with ease. The compressed form also encourages better preservation of the leaves over time.
The benefits of tea brewed from the Pu-erh Brick
Discover our organic Puerh Sheng Cha brick, weighing 500 grams. This is a tea made for the long term. Stored at home in a cool, humid cellar, the Puerh cake or brick continues to ferment gently. As it ages, organic Puerh deepens in both flavour and character. Aged Puerh teas develop an intensely woody, earthy complexity. And thanks to the fermentation process unique to organic Chinese black tea, the infusion supports healthy digestion and may help balance cholesterol levels.
Our brewing guide
How to prepare tea from the Pu-erh Brick
Brewing organic Sheng Cha is a mindful ritual. You will need two key tools: a tea pick and a teapot. Begin by carefully breaking off the black tea leaves using the pick, keeping them as whole as possible. Steep in your teapot for two and a half minutes, then pour into a cup and savour slowly.
How much tea to use from the Pu-erh Brick
To fully appreciate its distinctive flavour, with its notes of forest floor and damp cellar, measure out 10 grams of organic Puerh from your brick per litre of hot water.
What is the ideal brewing temperature for the Pu-erh Brick?
To preserve the quality and the full range of health benefits, brew in water just below boiling, at 95°C.
When to enjoy tea brewed from the Pu-erh Brick
Through its long ageing and fermentation, this style of black tea loses much of its caffeine. Aged Chinese Puerh can be enjoyed from morning to evening without concern. Its well-known benefits for digestive health make it a particularly lovely choice after a meal. It also makes a wonderful companion for an afternoon tea time.
The quality and character of the Pu-erh Brick
This organic tea from Yunnan is truly one of a kind. Its leaves, harvested from wild trees and shaped into cakes or bricks, make it a product of genuine prestige. Every serious lover of fine teas keeps a piece of aged Puerh at home. This organic Chinese tea is also available loose-leaf on Thés & Traditions, offering a more accessible entry point into the world of Puerh. Bear in mind that loose-leaf Puerh ferments more quickly, so its shelf life is shorter. We warmly recommend reading our articles on Pu-erh before making your choice.
Why buy your Pu-erh Brick from Thés & Traditions?
Order your Puerh brick from Thés & Traditions and enjoy free delivery. Take the opportunity to explore our 100% organic range, all at honest prices. You will also find a selection of accessories for brewing and storing your teas. Delivery is available to a collection point or straight to your door. Let yourself be transported to Yunnan, one cup at a time, with our compressed Puerh Sheng Cha.
