How to Brew Pu-erh Tea
Pu-erh tea is a fermented version of pu-erh. This tea has been around for hundreds of years and comes from the Yunnan region of China.
Because it’s fermented, it has entirely different properties than other teas. Pu-erh tea has many benefits, but how can you brew it at home?
You cannot throw something in a tea bag or a cup of hot water. You have to follow special instructions to make this unique type of tea.
Please keep reading to learn more about how to brew pu-erh tea and the health benefits you stand to gain from drinking it regularly.
What is Pu-erh Tea?
The pu-erh tea plant (known as a Camellia sinensis variety) grows in Yunnan, China. The tea leaves are harvested, processed, fermented, and aged.
Pu-erh tea is a variety of fermented tea. It’s a little different than other fermented teas like kombucha or beer because pu-erh is aged.
That means it’s been sitting around for a long time. Centuries. Pu-erh tea has been around for hundreds of years.
How to Brew Pu-erh Tea
Pu-erh tea is made differently from green, black, or white teas. It’s a fermented tea that requires different steeping instructions.
Pu-er-h tea should be brewed at a lower temperature than most teas and for longer. To brew pu-erh, you need:
- Pu-erh tea leaves
- A teapot or gaiwan
- Hot water
- A timer
- A filter
Place the pu-erh tea leaves in your gaiwan or teapot. Using a gaiwan, you can put the leaves in the bowl or on a small plate if you have one.
If using a teapot, you can use leaves inside of a filter. If you want to get fancy, you can use a tea coffeemaker brewing vessel.
The devices come with special filters that allow the flavor and aroma of the tea to go through while keeping the leaves out of your cup. Add hot water to your gaiwan or teapot filled with pu-erh tea leaves.
The ideal water temperature for steeping pu-erh tea is around 90 °C or 195 °F. It is ten °C lower than the water temperature for black tea and 15 °C lower than green tea.
Let the pu-erh tea steep for 5-10 minutes. Steeping pu-erh can take a little longer than other teas.
Use a timer to make sure you don’t overdo it. Strain the tea leaves out of the water using a tea strainer. Pu-erh leaves can be large, so make sure you have a tea strainer that can handle the size of the leaves.
Health Benefits of Pu-erh Tea
There are many health benefits to drinking pu-erh tea. Pu-erh tea is good for your digestive and cardiovascular systems.
It can also help with weight loss. Pu-erh tea is high in antioxidants and minerals essential for a healthy body.
Pu-erh has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help with arthritis and joint pain. It also helps with blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Studies have shown that pu-erh tea is also an anti-tumor agent. Pu-erh tea can help with digestion and is a great way to detox the body.
Studies have shown that pu-erh tea can boost the body’s levels of an enzyme that helps break down gluten. It is excellent news for people who have trouble digesting gluten.
How to Tell Good Pu-erh from Bad
Before you purchase a pu-erh tea bag or loose tea, you need to know how to spot good pu-erh from bad pu-erh. There are a few signs that pu-erh is past its prime and should be avoided:
- Dusty leaves
- Discoloration
- A musty smell
- Bad taste
Pu-erh tea is an excellent drink for the health and enjoyment of food. It has a unique flavor that can be paired with many different types of food.
Pu-erh is a superb option for people who don’t like the taste of black tea or coffee. It’s also a great way to start drinking tea if you never have before.
Who Should Drink Pu-erh and Who Should Avoid It
Pu-erh tea is an excellent option for just about everyone. Pu-erh tea has been around for hundreds of years and is enjoyed worldwide.
A few people may want to avoid pu-erh or take extra precautions when drinking it. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a doctor before consuming pu-erh.
Pu-erh tea has high caffeine levels, which can harm a developing fetus. Headaches and other symptoms of caffeine withdrawal can also be exacerbated in pregnant women.
Pu-erh tea is also not recommended for people with hypertension. High blood pressure is a severe medical condition and should be monitored by a doctor. Pu-erh tea can cause blood pressure to spike and should be avoided by people with hypertension.
Bottom line
Pu-erh tea is a fermented tea that has many health benefits. It can help with digestion and detox, boost metabolism, and lower cholesterol.
Pu-erh tea is an excellent option for people who don’t like the taste of black tea or coffee. It’s also suitable for people who don’t like the taste of green or white tea.
Pu-erh tea is best brewed in a teapot or gaiwan with water around 90 °C or 195 °F. You can tell good pu-erh from bad by looking for signs past its prime, like discoloration and a musty smell. Pu-erh is a good option for everyone except pregnant women and people with high blood pressure.