Puer tea is an ancient beverage. He appeared in China and has more than one century. Tea has unusual taste and aromatic qualities. Despite this, Puer gained wide popularity not so long ago. It can be purchased at specialized stores in loose colors or in the form of a pressed mold.
Puer tea - what is it?
Puer tea grows in the Chinese province of Yunnan. There are several hundred large and small industries. They produce tea of different quality, ranging from consumer goods to exclusive varieties. Puer was originally made in the form of a pressed mold. This was due to simplicity and convenience in transportation, storage. Today tea is found in the form of placers, and pressed forms are more a tribute to tradition than a necessity.
Despite the fact that tea has many varieties, only two made Puerh tea popular: Shen and Shu. The first species is the oldest. In China, Shen Puer is called "green", "fresh", "raw" tea. It undergoes natural fermentation for many years. Over time, the raw material does not deteriorate, but only improves the taste. Shu Puer appeared in the 20th century. This is due to increased demand for tea. Shu is made for a period from 1 month to 1 year and it is called "aged". It refers to highly fermented teas.
Shen and Shu Puer: differences
The main thing that distinguishes these teas from each other is the process of processing tea leaves. The production technology of Shen Puer is quite simple. Tea leaves are a little sluggish in the open air. Then the raw material is pressed into molds. The manufacturing process of Shu Puer is much more complicated. Leaves dried in the fresh air are piled up. Then they are watered with water and covered with a cloth to begin the process of debate. As a result, the leaves will be darker in color, their taste and aroma will change. Ready tea is pressed into molds.
These teas have a number of differences. Puer Shen is a lighter shade, may be light brown. The aroma of brewed tea can clearly catch a fruity note. The infusion is translucent light brown. After taking a sip, you can feel a pleasant sourness, which is replaced by a sweetish aftertaste.
The color of the tea leaves of Shu Puer can be dark brown or black. The aroma of the infusion is quite heavy, earthy, with a woody note. It has a dark brown color, and the taste echoes the smell. It is heavy, with a touch of oak.
Tea Shen Puer: properties
In addition to excellent taste, the drink is very useful. It normalizes digestion and metabolism, lowers cholesterol, and detoxifies. Shen fights the development of cardiovascular disease, has bactericidal properties. It has a beneficial effect on the liver, skin, helps strengthen teeth, cleanse the blood, maintain the body's water balance, improves vision.
How to brew?
To make tea, you need to take clay or porcelain dishes, but in no case metal. Under the influence of tea, it will oxidize, and the taste of the drink will change. The volume of dishes should be 150-300 ml. For this amount of water, 5-7 g of tea is enough, i.e. 1 teaspoon. Then it is necessary to heat the water until bubbles form, but do not boil it. After this, wait a minute for the temperature of the liquid to drop to 95 degrees. It is recommended to pour boiling water over the teapot. Tea itself must first be washed in cold water, and then pour hot and immediately drain. With subsequent brewing, the infusion can be consumed.
There is another way to rinse the tea. It is brewed twice with boiling water and drained. The third and subsequent infusions can be drunk. This treatment is necessary for the disinfection of tea leaves and better disclosure of taste and aroma. If the raw materials used for the manufacture of Shen Puer are of high quality, then they can be brewed from 9 to 15 times. Moreover, each time should increase the time of infusion. However, it must be remembered that heavily brewed Puer Shen may be bitter. There is a rule: in one teapot you can brew one Shen. Over time, a coating appears on the walls of the dishes that cannot be removed with abrasive detergents. It is believed that in such a teapot, the drink acquires new shades of taste and aroma.
How to drink?
Tea is recommended after a meal. It is known that the Chinese do not drink tea with sugar. Sweeteners interfere with the taste of the drink. You should not rush with Puer. First you need to take a sip and hold the drink in your mouth, then slowly swallow. If you follow the rule, the tart bitter taste will give way to a pleasant sweetness.
How to choose?
There are several rules that will help you get quality Shen Puer tea.
- It is best to give preference to well-known companies. Thanks to significant financial investments in production, owners acquire high-quality raw materials and hire qualified technologists. But you should not rely solely on the brand. It happens that the plant released an unsuccessful batch. There is also a risk of counterfeiting.
- The appearance of tea leaves is very important. It should not cause any unpleasant emotions. Leaves should be even, one size, nice color.
- Once again, you can verify the quality of the purchase after brewing tea. The opened leaves should be smooth and beautiful.
- The notes of prunes present in the aroma and aftertaste of the drink testify to the high quality of tea.
How to store?
If you plan to drink tea in the near future, then there are no special requirements for capacity or location. If there is a goal to keep Shen Puer for a long time, then it is better to adhere to the recommendations of tea experts.
- Keep away from direct sunlight.
- The storage location should not be airtight.
- Make sure that there are no extraneous odors near the tea, for example: perfumes, seasonings and spices, citrus fruits, etc.
- Store only with other Shen.
Everyone who decides to get to know Puer tea should be patient. Perhaps the first tasting will disappoint, but do not despair. Regardless of whether it was Puer, Shen or Shu, he should be given a second chance. The taste of tea is not revealed immediately, but gradually. And having felt all the charm of this drink, it will be very difficult to refuse it.