Pu-erh - a Famous Medicinal Tea

Pu-erh, A Famous Medicinal Tea - The Pu-erh tea is famed for its medicinal properties. The leaves come from the Yunnan province Dayeh (large leaf) variety of broad-leafed tea tree. They may be more closely related to the original ancient tea tree of pre-glaciation times than the small leafed one. It is marketed in bulk as Pu-erh, shaped into cakes as Pu-erh Cake tea. They are also made into bowl shaped cakes called Yunnan Tao Cha; which can also be a green tea.

The people of Yunnan- Tibet border have drunk Pu-erh since the Tang dynasty. The troops of Kublai Khan are said to have introduced Pu-erh tea to the rest of China for its medicinal value. Tea from these high mountains has traditionally been carried in shoulder baskets through primeval forests for processing and sale in the tea market at the country town of Pu-er. Located near South of Yunnan, Pu-er country itself does not grow tea, but the name it has given to this variety has become an international fame.

Pu-erh is often taken for relieving indigestion and diarrhea. Modern medical tests indicate its effectiveness in reducing cholesterol. Pu-erh is customarily kept for a long time, and in Asian tradition, leaves with a light coating of mold are considered the best and to have the greatest medicinal effect. However, tests conducted in universities and medical center in Japan showed no significant difference between 2 and 22 year old Pu-erh in reducing cholesterol. Both were equally effective.

Pu-erh is known to be a mild tea, suitable for all ages, young and old and for people with strong or weak constitutions. Pu-erh is very special because of its unique combination of factors. It is an unusual large-leafed variety, it enjoys special growing conditions with the combination of climate and soil in the Yunnan Mountains and it is semi-fermented for a longer time than the Oolong variety.

The taste has been described as mellow; however, those not accustomed to it might not enjoy the "old" or the "earthy" taste, particularly in the first infusion. For others, however, this flavor will add to its aura of wonder and seem fitting in a tea prized for its medicinal properties. Some people first recommend getting used to Nuoshan Pu'erh, which has less of this taste. Also, Pu-erh could be mixed with a little Yenzhen to cut the "old" flavor and create an unexpected new one. Pu-erh is known for maintaining flavor through multiple infusions.

A combination of Pu-erh and Chrysanthemum tea is considered particularly good for cooling internal heat and is also delicious. Called Gupu Cha, it can be requested in Cantonese tea houses as Gook Po cha. Another famous Cantonese specialty is Pu-Show (Pu-erh and Show Mee). Show Mee is a white tea classified as "cool" by traditional pharmacology. It is sometimes neutralized with a combination that also yields a new flavor.

Pu-erh is sold loose (of these, Nuoshan from the mountain of the same name is the best known variety) or in pressed form named for the shape in which the block is molded. These include:-

Tuo cha, bowl tea, shaped by pressing into a bowl.

Bing cha, cake tea, which comes in large and small stacks of seven layers, hence also called as Qi Zi (seven sons) and sold in Hong Kong, Macao and Southeast Asia. Small size cakes are consumed by the Tibetans.

Tuan cha or ball tea, in ping-pong ball size and up. Balls of this tea were used for tribute were the size of a head, and it was called the head tea.

Fang cha (square shaped) and Pu-erh Zun cha (rectangular).

Yunnan has three plucking seasons which provide the names for special kinds of Pu-erh : Chunjian (spring pointed) plucked in April and has abundant fine and long white hair.

Ershui (second crop) plucked from early June to July; these fat, juicy leaves are made into pressed tea. Guhua (Grain Flower) plucked in October; with plenty of fine, white hair, it is used to make cake tea.

Until 1995, it was illegal to import Pu-erh into the United States, and its production process is still a closely guarded state secret in China. It is very strong; it has an incredibly deep and rich flavor, but it is not bitter. Pu-erh can be found only in few select tea shops in this country (such as dr. tea's) and can cost as much as $1,000 an ounce, $300 for a pot and $50 for a cup to go.