Pu-erh Tea
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Pu-erh Tea

The secret of making pu-erh tea has been closely guarded in China for centuries. It is named after a market town in the Yunnan province where the tea is collected from growers of a special broad-leafed tea tree which is said to be related to ancient prehistoric tea plants. Pu-erh tea is carefully processed with a type of second fermentation which gives it its unique characteristics. This secret process is credited with creating the health benefits of Pu-erh tea that have been celebrated since the Tang dynasty. Pu-erh tea has been highly regarded in China as a general tonic and as an aid to digestion of fatty foods.

Modern medical science has recently shown that the health benefits of Pu-erh tea may be more than just Chinese folklore. Since 1970, scientific studies in China, France and Japan suggest that this tea may help reduce body weight and help reduce cholesterol in the blood stream.

This legendary tea has been hard to obtain in America for many years and its unique flavor has been often misunderstood. It is a tea that actually improves with age and very old samples can be incredibly expensive.

Pu-erh leaves are a dusty brown and can be infused several times. It brews into a reddish-black cup which has a mild but very distinctive earthy flavor. It seems to taste more like the soil that it was grown in than any other tea. It can be enjoyed alone but is especially nice after a big meal. Try our specially selected Pu-erh tea and discover for yourself why this tea has been treasured in China for centuries.

For further reading:

• Pratt J. and Rosen D. The Tea Lover's Companion Birch Lane Press NY 1996 PP 23-24
• Chow K. and Kramer I. All the Tea in China China Books San Francisco 1990 PP 105, 154-156
• Ukers W. All About Tea Tea and Trade Journal Company New York 1935 PP 294, 307