Earthen Pu-erh tea useful properties and contraindications. Puer tea useful properties and contraindications

The benefits and harms of Puer tea is a question of interest to all fans right image life and wellness oriental teas. In order to give an answer, it is necessary to carefully study the composition and properties of the drink.

Production and origin of Puerh tea

The homeland of Puer is China, although at present such tea is grown in Vietnam, Thailand, and other countries of the world. Initially, the raw materials for the drink were collected only from a special large-leaved tea tree that grew in the Chinese province of Yunnan. Now tea is also obtained from the leaves of ordinary tea trees.

The uniqueness of tea is due to the technology of its production:

1. First, the collected leaves are slightly withered, rolled, and then subjected to fermentation - that is, they are moistened and left to lie for a period of 50 to 100 days.
2. Then the fermented tea is dried and pressed into various forms - briquettes, tablets, cakes.
3. Then at least another year they let it lie down, otherwise the drink will not acquire its delicate taste and useful properties.

Pu-erh is a unique tea that only gets better with long storage. Of course, the tea that can be found in ordinary stores is not aged for long - a few years at most. But the aging period of a collection drink can be 10-20 years, and the valuable properties are only gaining strength.

Types and varieties of Puer tea

There are only three main types of drink:

1. Black Shu-Puer is a dark-colored drink with pleasant chocolate notes in the aroma.
2. Green Shen Puer- a drink of translucent light green color with a sweetish aroma, reminiscent of the smell of raisins, dates and prunes. The taste of Shen Pu-erh is slightly sour, the aftertaste is sweet.
3. White Puer - resembles Shen Puer, but has a whitish tint of leaves, and smells of honey and meadow grass.

Any of the varieties of the drink necessarily belongs to one of the three types. And the varieties are mainly distinguished as follows:

1. Royal - the upper leaves of the tea tree serve as raw materials for manufacturing. Usually undergoes a process of normal, non-accelerated fermentation for many years. It gives a different effect depending on the strength of the tea leaves, weak royal tea relaxes, strong tea tones.
2. Palace - an elite variety with long exposure and double fermentation. It has a complex rich aroma and taste with woody, grape, nutty and chocolate notes.
3. Milk - a white drink with a slightly caramel taste and aroma, not as specific as other varieties.

Tea is also subdivided by shape - it can be pressed into pancakes and flat squares, have the shape of a bowl or mushroom, brick or pumpkin.

The chemical composition and calorie content of Pu-erh tea

The main value of the drink lies in the richest composition. Each sip of any Pu-erh contains:

• all the main vitamins - C and E, A and P, PP, vitamins B;
• the elements iron, potassium, fluorine, zinc, phosphorus and magnesium;
• more than 15 amino acids;
• organic acids;
• polyphenols and alkaloids;
• tannins and vegetable protein.

The calorie content of 100 g of the product is about 152 calories, while 20 g of the total amount is occupied by proteins, another 7 g is carbohydrates, and 5 g is allocated to fats.

Useful properties of Pu-erh tea for men and women

Regardless of the type and variety, the drink has the following useful properties:

• governs arterial pressure and has a tonic effect - this is the special benefit of green Pu-erh;
• accelerates metabolic processes in the body and improves digestion;
• serves as a cancer prevention;
• removes slags, toxins and heavy metals from the body, reduces harm to the liver and blood vessels;
• normalizes blood sugar levels.

The benefit of Puer for women is that tea helps to take care of the figure - thanks to its cleansing properties, the drink contributes to effective weight loss.

And the benefits of Puer for men lie in the fact that regular consumption of the drink has a beneficial effect on potency and prevents the development of prostate tumors. Tea is also used to get rid of a hangover, it quickly removes intoxication and discomfort.

Benefits of Pu-erh tea

For some body systems, this tea will be of particular benefit. Best of all, the drink affects digestion and blood vessels, it is also useful for the brain, as it improves attention and concentration.

For weight loss

Puer is one of the best drinks For those who want to quickly lose weight and not gain those extra pounds back. Tea speeds up metabolism, reduces appetite, helps to break down fatty tissues, so drinking Pu-erh to lose weight is very useful. Excess weight goes away in a short time and subsequently does not return.

For digestion

Puer is a unique tea that does not increase stomach acidity. Therefore, you can use it even with ulcers and gastritis. It helps with heartburn, "sluggish" stomach, poisoning, colitis and duodenitis. Tea contributes to the normal absorption of food and helps to normalize the process of bowel movement.

Under reduced pressure

Pu-erh raises or lowers blood pressure? The tonic properties of the drink are very useful for hypotensive patients. Tea raises blood pressure, while not harming the body, returns vigor and physical strength.

For the circulatory system

With regular use, Pu-erh qualitatively improves blood composition: it reduces “bad” cholesterol and sugar levels, removes toxins and harmful substances.

For the nervous system

A quality drink has a wonderful tonic effect. Puer tea invigorates even better than coffee and, but it does not harm the body. The drink helps to focus and concentrate, improves clarity of thought.

Is it possible to Puer during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Unfortunately, for pregnant women, the beneficial properties of tea will rather be harmful. Pu-erh is a tonic and diuretic drink, therefore it can negatively affect the quality of sleep, worsen the general condition of a woman, or even lead to a miscarriage.

The same goes for the lactation period - invigorating properties tea can harm the baby and negatively affect the nervous system. To return healthy drink in the diet is better not earlier than 4 months after childbirth.

Can children drink Pu-erh tea?

In some cases, a tonic drink can be valuable for teenagers. For example, Puer, and black teas are very useful for schoolchildren during periods of intense intellectual stress.

However, for the first time Pu-erh can be offered to children no earlier than 6 years old, and even then it is very weak and in small quantities, no more than a cup a day. Pu-erh, brewed in the usual way, it is allowed to enter into the children's diet only after 12 years.

Attention! Before offering an invigorating tea to a child, it is necessary to consult a pediatrician about whether the properties of the drink will harm the child's body.

How to brew Pu-erh at home

Chinese tonic tea is sold in several forms: loose, pressed, tableted. Depending on the variety, the methods of brewing the drink also differ slightly.

Pu-erh in tablets

Tableted Pu-erh cannot be brewed immediately. To begin with, the tablet is thoroughly kneaded, placed in a teapot and poured with hot water. After 2 minutes, the water is drained. The first brewing is required to clean the petals of the tea. After that, Puer is again poured with hot water, insisted for another 4 minutes and drunk.

Pressed Pu-erh

In supermarkets and specialty stores, Pu-erh is often found in briquettes, flatbreads, bowls and mushrooms, with a uniform surface or embossed patterns and symbols.

In order to brew such tea, you need to break off or cut off a small piece, put it in a cup or small teapot and pour boiling water over it. After 2 minutes, the first cleansing brew is drained, the leaves are poured again with hot, but not boiling water, and they wait 4 minutes until the tea is infused.

Loose Pu-erh

Chinese tea is also sold in the usual loose form for buyers. Brewing it is very simple - in the amount of a couple of teaspoons of Pu-erh, you need to pour it into a teapot, pour boiling water, rinse and drain the tea leaves. Then for another 3 minutes, wet tea is again poured with hot water and poured into cups.

Rules for drinking Pu-erh tea for the benefit of the body

To maximize the benefits of Pu-erh tea, tips on how to properly brew this drink will help. In order for Puer to please with a delicate taste, it is necessary to observe classical technology cooking:

• as a rule, only ceramic or glass small teapots with preheated walls are used to brew a drink;
• it is always recommended to drain the first brew. It is only needed to clean the tea leaves and prepare them for further infusion.

Pu-erh is not brewed for a long time, it takes only half a minute to prepare weak tea, strong Pu-erh is kept for 3-4 minutes before drinking.

At what temperature to brew Pu-erh

Unlike ordinary tea, it is not customary to pour Pu-erh with boiling water. The optimum water temperature is 90-95 degrees, in this case the tea reveals its taste and aroma to the maximum, but does not lose its beneficial properties.

How many times can you brew Pu-erh

High-quality Chinese tea is allowed to be brewed up to 20 times in a row. True, the time of infusion each time needs to be slightly increased. The optimal number of brewing cycles for Pu-erh is 5-6 times.

How and when to drink Pu-erh tea

If used improperly, even useful Pu-erh can be harmful. There are a few important rules to remember:

• you can’t drink Puer on an empty stomach, otherwise the tonic drink will cause heartburn and cutting pains in the abdomen;
• sugar is not added to Pu-erh, because it reduces the benefits of tea and changes its taste properties for the worse;
• It is undesirable to drink Puer tea at night - the invigorating effect of this drink will be harmful and prevent you from falling asleep peacefully. You can drink a cup of Pu-erh no later than 3 hours before going to bed.

The drink can be brewed not only in hot water but also in milk. The benefit of Pu-erh with milk is that such tea has a wonderful relaxing effect, while not dulling attention and concentration.

Advice! The drink should not be abused - it is recommended to drink no more than 2 cups per day.

The benefits and harms of Puer tea for various diseases

Chinese tea not only has a subtle pleasant taste and invigorating properties, but also has a healing effect in certain ailments.

With diabetes

Since quality tea lowers blood sugar levels, it is extremely beneficial for both types of diabetes. True, it is not recommended to abuse the drink: the daily norm should be no more than 1 cup. Of course, at the same time, sugar cannot be added to tea, otherwise the drink will only harm.

For gastritis and stomach ulcers

Chinese Pu-erh is the only tea allowed to be consumed even with exacerbations of gastritis and ulcers. It does not increase acidity and does not irritate the mucous membranes, so you can use it half an hour after eating on a full stomach. The benefits of Pu-erh black tea for gastritis will be higher than the benefits of green varieties of the drink.

With cholecystitis

Tea is not harmful for inflammation of the gallbladder if you drink it in small quantities. It is recommended to drink the drink 20 minutes before meals in the amount of half a glass in small sips.

With pancreatitis

In case of acute inflammation of the pancreas, it is better not to drink the drink and give preference exclusively to water. But a week after the exacerbation is over, Chinese tea can be returned to the diet. However, at the same time, the drink should be brewed very weakly, and the maximum amount should be 2 cups per day.

Side effects and contraindications

A healthy drink has a number of contraindications and can be harmful in certain diseases. Namely, you can not drink it:

• with chronically elevated pressure - hypertension;
• with atherosclerosis - the drink strengthens only healthy blood vessels, and with an existing disease, there will be no benefit from it;
• with serious heart diseases - the tonic effect of the drink can be harmful;
• with chronic kidney ailments - tea has a strong diuretic effect;
• with a cold - tea does not reduce the temperature, but additionally contributes to its increase;
• during pregnancy and lactation;
• with glaucoma;
• with individual intolerance to caffeine, in small doses present in this tea.

Does pu-erh tea cause allergies?

Puer manufacturers claim that the tonic drink cannot cause allergies. However, practice proves the opposite: some people feel bad even from small portions drink, and here it is hardly possible to talk about an overdose. When drinking Chinese tea for the first time, you must be careful and carefully observe the reaction of your own body so as not to get harmed.

Is it possible to drink Pu-erh tea while driving?

The invigorating properties of the drink and its ability to improve concentration can be very beneficial for drivers. However, you need to remember about precautions: if you drink too much tea, the effect will be similar to the state of alcoholic intoxication.

Important! Before driving, you should drink no more than 1 cup of Chinese tea, and it is better to do this in advance and on a full stomach.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of Pu-erh tea depend on how carefully you use it. If you do not exceed the normal daily dosage and drink tea only after meals, in the absence of contraindications, it will reveal all its beneficial properties and will be very valuable for the body.

In the homeland of pu-erh tea (smoked tea), in China, this drink was consumed a thousand years ago. Even then, it was considered curative, and therefore was available only to rich people.

Over time, from the category of healing, he moved into the category of the most beloved tea drinks by the Chinese. But due to the specifics and labor intensity of production, it remained one of the most expensive.

Today it can be bought in specialized stores in the form of small tiles or by weight. It is noteworthy that any special conditions for storing ready-made pu-erh tea are not required - it retains its taste qualities for a long time.

Pu-erh tea has become one of the most popular in the world due to its unsurpassed beneficial properties. Its tonic and invigorating properties can be compared with good coffee, despite the fact that there is very little caffeine in it.

For memory and attention

Experts believe that pu-erh tea is able to keep the body in good shape throughout a long working day. And if you drink this healthy drink constantly, you can not worry about health.

Drinking a cup on the eve of the upcoming exam, you are sure to get an A, because this amazing tea helps focus and clarifies the train of thought.

Knowledge workers will benefit from including pu-erh tea among their favorite drinks. Good performance will be guaranteed.

For weight loss

For those who want to lose weight, this is an excellent and very effective tool.

Due to the ability to burn excess fat, pu-erh will help to make the figure slim and attractive in a relatively short time.

In addition, it removes toxins from the body, which contributes to overall health and rejuvenation.

For the liver

The beneficial properties of this tea include a thorough cleansing of the liver. The liver, like no other organ, accumulates waste products that enter with food. It is easy to guess what the liver of an average mature person looks like and how many harmful substances it contains. It is sometimes difficult for the liver to remove toxins and toxins in order to keep the body clean, especially if the owner is promiscuous and unrestrained in food.

Wonderful pu-erh tea helps the liver to remove all the accumulated debris from the body. For this alone, it can be elevated to the rank of the most useful drinks.

For the heart and blood vessels

People suffering from hypertension, which negatively affects thinking, are advised to drink such tea constantly so that their life becomes more fulfilling, full of bright thoughts and adequate actions.

Scientists have noticed another useful ability - to reduce bad cholesterol, which plays a significant role in the treatment of hypertension. In fact, for hypertensive patients, pu-erh tea is great alternative medicines.

Other medicinal properties

This Chinese tea is useful for diabetic patients, because it significantly reduces blood sugar levels. To maintain the spiritual and physical condition of the body, doctors often prescribe pu-erh for cores.

The same tea can bring a person out of a strong intoxication. To do this, you need to give the patient pu-erh as often as possible, up to complete sobering up.

For people suffering from gastric and duodenal ulcers, pu-erh tea is not contraindicated, but, on the contrary, is very useful. Thanks to their medicinal properties This drink can successfully treat inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract.

Having gained popularity in many countries, pu-erh tea has become a trendsetter in the field of elite drinks and is unlikely to give way to any other tea. At least in the near future.

How to choose

High-quality Pu-erh tea has a pleasant aroma, similar to the aroma of dried fruits, sometimes figs.

There are varieties of pu-erh slightly earthy. Pressed raw materials do not have too small a sheet and do not crumble like tea bags, large light leaves (buds) are visible, it is easily separated from the base with a special knife, without turning into fine dust.

How to brew

Porcelain or glass teapots are best suited for brewing Pu-erh tea.

It can also be brewed in individual cups or bowls. One teaspoon of loose tea is enough for one cup.

Brewing pressed pu-erh is slightly different from loose pu-erh. Having broken off a piece from a tea tile, fill it with boiling water and immediately drain it to wash off the production dust, then drain it again and leave it for 2-3 minutes.

The brewing temperature for green tea, both for loose and pressed tea, ranges from 80 to 90 degrees, for black - from 90 to 100 degrees.

By choosing the right brewing utensils, you can enjoy not only great taste and an extraordinary aroma, but also an amazing delicate color. Get to know it healthy tea called puer.

Puer tea - This is the oldest type of Chinese tea, distinguished by its unique taste, as well as well-known healing properties. The leaves for this unique drink are harvested from ordinary tea trees in Yunnan province, where some trees are several thousand years old!
In ancient times, pu-erh was used exclusively for medicinal purposes, for example, to increase immunity and the general tone of the body. The people of ancient China drank this tea for healing and believed that it was a drink of beauty, youth and longevity. And already our contemporaries, without denying the speculations of their ancestors, say that pu-erh also improves metabolism, helps to lose weight and improve digestion.

This variety of tea, as already mentioned, is extracted from ordinary tea trees, only the largest leaves are chosen. Then they are dried and treated with steam to get rid of excess moisture. Then the leaves are crushed and continue to dry in the shade. And after all the special manipulations, you can start making the drink itself!

Pu-erh tea is a post-fermented tea. The manufacturing technology of the final product is similar to the creation of green tea, but pu-erh reaches the average consumer in a special form. On store shelves you can see pressed cubes, cakes, squares and other types of pressing.

Types of pu-erh

To learn more about this wonderful drink, you need to start your acquaintance with studying its classification by the raw material itself.

• Green Pu-erh (Shen). It is obtained with classic way collection of tea leaves and their processing. The primary product is rather large and brown-green leaves. And the drink created from them will not have a pronounced smell of smoke and dried fruits.
• Black tea (Shu). Created quickly from small dark leaves. The smell of the drink will turn out to be much more saturated, with pronounced earthy notes, the taste is harsh, which is called "an amateur". Initially, all pu-erh can be divided into two main types, but now a third variety of this tea is also distinguished separately.
• white pu-erh. The harvesting technology is similar to Shen tea harvesting technology. The difference is in the presence of white bloom on the leaves and some taste aspects. White pu-erh has a more herbal smell with a slight hint of honey.

You can also divide pu-erh according to the types of its pressing.

• Bowl;
• Cake;
• Pumpkin;
• Square;
• Mushroom;

It should be noted that the taste of pu-erh directly depends on what form it was pressed into.

Useful properties and contraindications

It has already been said that, from ancient times to the present day, unique healing properties pu-erh are a well-known fact. But it would be wrong not to learn more about them.

Acceleration of metabolism. This property you need to know all those who unsuccessfully try to fight excess weight, while killing their body with the strictest diets. The introduction of pu-erh tea into your diet will not only affect the body on its own, but will also help by reducing appetite. And yes, this tea is delicious!

Elimination of toxins and reducing the toxicity of harmful substances. This property will help normalize the functioning of the liver, which often suffers in the conditions of life of a modern person, as well as the work of the cardiovascular system and other organs. Of course, tobacco and alcoholic products in principle, harmful to the body, but pu-erh is able to minimize the risks from it.

Normalization of the digestive organs. With a love for fatty, heavy foods, drinking pu-erh tea minimizes the feeling of heaviness in the stomach and quickly removes harmful substances from the body. This has a positive effect on both the work of internal organs and the work of the sebaceous glands: the skin is transformed, it becomes clean, fresh and rested. Plus, pu-erh is recommended for people with diseases of the digestive tract.

Removal of inflammation. Thanks to pu-erh, inflammatory processes in the body slow down and the work of the adrenal glands is regulated.

Improving concentration development of memory and attention. Pu-erh is a well-known tonic drink, it relieves fatigue no worse than coffee. And with regular use, this tea helps to better absorb information, even in large volumes.

And in addition to everything, this tea contains various vitamins, such as A, B, C, E and P.

Despite all the already listed obvious advantages of drinking pu-erh, this tea still has some negative features. Of course, Pu-erh is unlikely to cause significant harm to the bulk of people, but pay attention to contraindications still worth it.

• Of course, this tea is not recommended for those who have any problems with blood pressure. Pu-erh tones, as it increases blood and arterial pressure. You can occasionally treat yourself to a cup of this type of tea, but you still shouldn’t get carried away. In addition, it is not recommended to drink pu-erh if you are going to bed soon.
• Certain negative effects may have tea bought in unverified stores. Since the “wrong” pu-erh may contain any impurities and additives, as well as waste from the production itself.
• Do not drink this tea on an empty stomach.
• Pay attention to proper storage of pu-erh. Avoid direct sunlight, dust, moisture, and keep the package sealed. If a white coating appears on tea leaves, with the exception of the white variety, this means that the product is unsuitable for further consumption.

And finally, you need to know how to brew this tea correctly. Then you can not only enjoy the amazing taste, but also feel all the healing properties of pu-erh.

How to brew pu-erh?

Puerh tea has distinguishing feature- intoxicating effect. Feeling relaxed and toned at the same time. This is not an alcoholic or narcotic effect of tea, but it is quite difficult to find a suitable allegory. The effect of pu-erh can be achieved by brewing strong tea.

Pu-erh can be brewed both in water and in milk.

• It is recommended to use earthenware or purchase a special thermos specifically for tea ceremonies.
• Fill the selected container with liquid and bring it to a boil three times. Sometimes it is advised to drain a third of the liquid after each boil to cool it, and then return it back. Although these manipulations are not mandatory, they will help to achieve the full sophistication of the taste of the final drink.
• After the third boiling, it is necessary to create a funnel in the liquid using a special spatula or tongs, and then pour tea into this funnel.
• It is necessary to bring the liquid to a high temperature (about 98 degrees), but do not wait for the boil! Next, the dishes from the fire must be removed.
• The drink will be completely ready to drink when the tea leaves sink to the bottom of the dish.

Happy tea!

How to brew pressed pu-erh?

The ability to properly brew pu-erh will help you preserve all the beneficial properties of tea leaves.

• First you need to scald the selected dishes with boiling water.
• Next, you need to gently crush the tea tablet. Be careful not to damage the leaves!
• Now you can pour the contents into a special teapot and pour hot water for no more than half a minute. This procedure is needed to wash the tea leaves from dust.
• After you have drained the dirty water, you need to fill the mixture with a new portion of water. (Infusion time and water temperature will vary depending on the type of pu-erh you are making.)
• Now you can pour the tea, cool a little and finally drink. A nice bonus, the remaining tea leaves can be used up to ten times!

How to brew pu-erh at home?

The technology for making pu-erh at home is not much different from classic cooking.

• Heat the water in the container to a temperature of about 90 degrees Celsius.
• Pour pre-washed tea leaves into a teapot previously scalded with hot water.
• The ratio of pu-erh is usually one teaspoon per person.
• Pour about half of the hot water into the kettle. Pour after half a minute. Then fill the kettle with the amount of hot water you already need.
• After a minute of waiting, you can already pour fragrant tea by the cups!

Puer - benefit and harm

Pu-erh tea leaves contain not only vitamin complexes, but also special microelements. They have not only tonic and other properties already described in the article, but also have strong antibacterial, antioxidant and even anti-cancer properties!

An amazing variety of tea also has a variety of amino acid complexes that regulate the work of not only individual organs, but in general allow the human body to work correctly.

As already mentioned, pu-erh tea is not capable of causing significant harm if you follow the tips for storing and preparing it. However, there are some negative side effects to consider:

Contraindications in the use of pu-erh with:

• pregnancy and lactation;
• diseases of the genitourinary system (especially with urolithiasis);
• people with insomnia;
• people with hypertension;
• people with glaucoma, as pu-erh can also increase intraocular pressure;
• Pu-erh should not be consumed by children under 6-8 years of age.

Pu-erh is a tea that has long been famous all over the world. This drink has been valued for many generations, and its benefits have long been proven. If you follow all the recommendations and carefully consider the choice of the raw materials themselves, then it will be simply impossible not to become a follower of this wonderful tea culture! Learn new varieties and ways of making pu-erh, improve your health and, of course, enjoy this unique taste!

Puer- Chinese post-fermented tea comes from the Yunnan province. This tea has a certain aging, the longer it is, the better pu-erh is considered. With time, the quality of pu-erh only gets better, unlike other types of tea, which, as a rule, lose their benefits and taste over time.

For the production of pu-erh, raw materials are subjected to natural or artificial aging. With natural aging, tea is aged for about 7-8 years, during which time slow fermentation processes take place, as a result of which the composition of substances in tea and its taste and aroma change.

With artificial aging, the raw materials are subjected to active fermentation, piled up and sprinkled with water. So it preet for 30-100 days. After that, it is dried and kept for about a year.

There are two types of pu-erh: Shen Puer(raw pu-erh), and Shu Puer(cooked pu-erh).

Pu-erh is both pressed and loose. More common pressed puer, it is pressed into various shapes such as pancake, nest, brick, square, gourd.

Raw pu-erh has a green tint, and the leaves of cooked pu-erh are dark in color, respectively, brewed Shu pu-erh has a very rich dark color, unlike Shen pu-erh. The first is sour with a taste of prunes, and the second resembles the taste of chocolate.

Useful properties of pu-erh tea

Pu-erh is able to lower blood cholesterol levels, improves work gastrointestinal tract relieves constipation, promotes the process of digestion. Pu-erh tea reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke. Pu-erh tea is also effective when you want to lose weight. Thanks to the beneficial properties of pu-erh tea, there will be good health and a beautiful appearance.

Pu-erh invigorates and tones very well, so it is recommended to drink it in the morning.

Store Puerh necessary in well-ventilated rooms with medium humidity. High humidity is not recommended to prevent mold from forming on the tea.

Puer loves air and dislikes light. For storage, rooms that do not get sunlight and extraneous odors are more suitable.

At home, pu-erh tea is best stored in the package in which it was purchased, or you can wrap it in natural fabric.

How to brew pu-erh tea

For brewing pu-erh, take about 4 grams of tea leaves per 150 ml of water. Before brewing, it is recommended to wash the pu-erh from dust. After that, it is poured with boiled water of about 90 degrees. For brewing pu-erh, earthenware or porcelain dishes are most suitable.

Good news for those who love tea with milk, because pu-erh with milk match very well. Must try milk pu-erh.

Some helpful video about Puerh

The Chinese are an inventive and practical people who have given the world many varieties of tea. Thanks to them, a whole tea culture was born and flourished with its legends, connoisseurs, technologies, and classification. One of the most famous and unusual varieties Chinese tea - pu-erh, is invariably in the center of attention of gourmets, doctors, nutritionists and just curious. What are the features, useful and not very properties of this product, the article will tell.

A bit of history

Each variety of Chinese tea has its own legend of origin, and sometimes even several. Pu-erh was no exception. A long and flowery story with many details tells how the tea intended as a gift to the emperor accidentally got wet in the rain. But instead of falling into disrepair, cakes made from pressed tea leaves acquired an unusual taste and aroma. The emperor, a great gourmet, highly appreciated the wonderful drink, and since then the technology for the production of pu-erh tea has been developed and improved.

It is not known if this was actually the case. But the connection between the invention of pu-erh and long caravan journeys, during which changes in humidity and temperature cannot be avoided, seems obvious. It is they - humidity and temperature - that trigger a special process of "ripening" of the tea leaf, which can last up to twenty years or longer. At the same time, not only the color and smell of tea leaves change, but also chemical composition(and hence the properties of the drink).

The first documentary references to pu-erh tea belong to the 7th century BC. It also has a geographic reference - a traditional area where this product has been grown and produced for centuries. Today it is called the Chinese provinces of Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan. This historical region also covers the northern territories of Laos, and Burma.

Production technology and types

There are many varieties of pu-erh, but the most basic classification distinguishes between two main types - shu-puerh and shen-puerh. What is the difference?

Shen Puer

It matures naturally, without the use of technologies that speed up the process. Manufacturing includes the following steps:

• Collection of tea tree leaves (traditional technology suggests that the trees must be old). This work is done by hand, very carefully. According to the type of leaves (large old leaf, young leaves and buds), the raw material is divided into different grades.
• Drying the collected sheet. The material is scattered in a sunny place so that the leaves slightly wilted and softened. Usually diffused sunlight is used for this, the procedure takes about 2 hours.
• Shaqing - "fixing the green". On the tea leaf exposed to high temperatures in order to suspend the process of natural fermentation in it. For this, for example, frying the leaves with constant stirring is used.
• Twisting. It is carried out using special equipment. In this case, the leaves are crushed and secrete juice.

The more juice is released, the richer the taste of tea will be.

• Drying (in the sun or in a special room with good ventilation).
• Pressing into pancakes, cakes, tablets, bricks and other forms. Then the tea briquettes are dried a little more and wrapped in rice paper.
• Natural maturation (can last up to 20-30 years).

Young shen pu-erh is light greenish in color. The whole process (from collecting leaves to sending pressed and packaged tea for “ripening”) fits into one day.

Pressed pu-erh is stored under special conditions: at a controlled temperature and humidity. During the "post-fermentation" - the ripening of tea in the form of pancakes and bricks, the quality of pu-erh becomes better and better every year. At the same time, the tea leaf changes color to a darker one, and its taste becomes deeper and more intense.

The price of sheng pu-erh also grows depending on the age of the tea, and reaches very significant amounts. Some rare collection varieties are even forbidden to be exported from China.

Shu Puer

It is made using an accelerated technology developed at the end of the 20th century. The traditional way production is rather slow, it could not satisfy the increased demand for pu-erh, so the Chinese learned how to speed up the fermentation process.

Shu-pu-erh ripens in "wet heaps": the raw tea leaf is covered with a film and kept for several months at a certain temperature, stirring from time to time with shovels. When the raw material reaches the desired stage of fermentation, it is sorted and pressed.

The production of such pu-erh is more massive, and it costs less.

Although the manufacturers claim that it does not have any special differences from Shen Puer, this is not entirely true. Connoisseurs and connoisseurs confidently distinguish between shu and shen, and value the latter much higher.

In free sale, mainly shu-puer is presented, the prices for it are relatively acceptable. Shen is an elite tea, in Russia the cost of one pancake ranges from several thousand to tens of thousands of rubles (depending on the variety, year, region of origin, factory and other parameters). However, in specialized stores and on a number of sites it is possible to purchase this premium pu-erh.

Beneficial features

Puer is a mature tea with a rich composition. It contains all the valuable substances:

• vitamins (A, E, P, PP, ascorbic acid, a number of B vitamins);
• minerals (fluorine, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc and others);
• amino acids (about 17 items, including L-theanine);
• alkaloids (theine, theobromine);
• proteins, fats and carbohydrates;
• tannins;
• polyphenols;
• organic acids.

This special "aged" tea has a strong effect on the body. Its beneficial effects on health can be felt by both men and women. Among beneficial effects can be called:

• Stimulating. Pu-erh invigorates and fills with energy. In some cases, even a state of mild euphoria is described.
• Nootropic. Tea activates the brain. It helps to concentrate, accelerates reaction, promotes better memorization of information.
• Diuretic. Reduces puffiness, promotes weight loss.
• Pu-erh speeds up metabolism, which also helps to get rid of extra pounds.
• Antioxidant. Helps maintain youthful skin, prevents the development of cancerous tumors.
• The drink regulates blood sugar levels, reduces the amount of bad cholesterol. Helps improve the condition of the blood in general.
• Removes toxic substances, salts of heavy metals and even radioactive elements.
• According to reviews, displays the decay products of alcohol.
• Improves the condition of the respiratory system, helps to cope with respiratory diseases.
• It has a beneficial effect on digestion, helps cleanse the intestines.
• Pu-erh prevents the development of caries, strengthens teeth.
• Improves liver function, accelerates the regeneration of its cells.
• For women, a pleasant bonus will be the improvement of hair, nails and skin.
• According to some reports, pu-erh contributes to the treatment of erectile dysfunction and has a positive effect on potency. This is one of the reasons why tea is especially beneficial for men.
• The drink reduces blood viscosity and the tendency to thrombosis.

Contraindications

Like any potent product, pu-erh is fraught with a number of dangers. It is better to refuse the use of this valuable tea:

• pregnant and lactating women (especially at the beginning of gestation and the first months of lactation);
• hypertensive patients (because pu-erh increases blood pressure);
• with urolithiasis (the pronounced diuretic effect of pu-erh can seriously harm with such a diagnosis);
• with atherosclerosis (damaged vessels may not withstand increased load);
• with ulcers, gastritis and pancreatitis in the acute stage (during periods of remission, small doses are acceptable, but only on a full stomach);
• with cholelithiasis (the choleretic effect of pu-erh can provoke the movement of stones and lead to the table to the surgeon);
• patients with glaucoma;
• children under 12;
• at high temperature (tea has the ability to raise the temperature, it interferes with the action of antipyretic drugs).

ADVICE! You should not drink pu-erh before going to bed, because its tonic effect can lead to insomnia.

Fans of pu-erh tea are wondering if it can be given to children. Experts differ on this issue. Some do not recommend this drink until the age of 12, others are more loyal to the issue. In any case, for children (strictly over 6 years old), 1 cup of weak pu-erh per day is enough, if there are no contraindications.

Storage and preparation

Pu-erh is a rather “sensitive” product, its condition is affected by sunlight, humidity, strong odors, dust or grease. Therefore, it is recommended to store briquettes in a dry place, in the shade, best of all in sealed packaging or special wooden boxes with a tightly fitted lid.

The appearance of a white coating on the tea “press” indicates that the product is spoiled and cannot be further consumed.

For thousands of years, a whole culture has formed around this tea. Special rules regulate not only the manufacturing process, but also the rules for storage, the ritual of brewing and drinking. Connoisseurs of the drink use special utensils (you can buy them in tea shops): boards and knives for pu-erh, storage boxes, teapots and cups. This tea does not tolerate haste and fuss. It requires calmness and concentration on the process.

The recipe for preparing the drink is different for pu-erh of varying degrees of maturity. The older the tea, the hotter the brewing water is used. The teapot is advised to use clay, glass or porcelain.

The cooking algorithm for all types of pu-erh is approximately the same:

• the kettle must be rinsed with hot water;
• break off a piece from the briquette with a special knife or hands (the size depends on the desired strength of the drink), put it in a teapot;
• pour hot water (from 80 to 95 degrees, depending on the “maturity” of the tea), pour it out after a few seconds (this will wash the sheets from dust and dirt, slightly steam them);
• again pour hot water, leave for about 1 minute.

This is not the only way, if you wish, you can find algorithms for more complex "tea ceremonies" that turn pu-erh brewing into an art.

The color and taste of the finished drink varies and depends on the raw materials used. Young pu-erh gives a light infusion, its taste is characterized by notes of dried fruits. More mature tea is brewed into a dark drink with notes of chocolate and nuts in the aroma. up to 5 times, with each tea leaves the taste changes, revealing new facets.

(after about half an hour). Consuming on an empty stomach can cause stomach pain and heartburn.

IMPORTANT! Moderation is important when drinking tea. In case of an overdose, headache, nausea and discomfort in the intestines may occur.