Pu-Erh Teas

This is not an easy subject for any tea aficionado. Pu-Erh is one of the rarest and most expensive teas in the world.

Pu-Erh production

Rare Pu-Erh comes from Pu-Erh county Yunnan China and it is picked from ancient trees. What makes this tea special, if plucking from thousand year-old trees is not enough, is an ageing process.

Pu-Erh is plucked and formed into cakes. Each cake is dated and put away to age. As the tea ages it gets sweeter. At first the tea is earthy and coarse, not unpleasant at all, but a little strange.

After three years the teas take on a new taste. No longer too earthy, the tea has a more sweet, balanced flavour.

The next stage is around ten years old. The tea is now sweeter again and very pleasant.

This process can continue: some Pu-Erh on the market are around thirty years old. Like wine, each cake can be stored for years, but it is usual to drink them at about thirty years if you can.

A traditional health-drink

The Chinese recommend Pu-Erh for all sorts of health issues. For them these teas are an essential part of a healthy diet.