Originating from the Yunnan Province in China, Pu-erh loose leaf tea is produced via a unique process of microbial fermentation once the tea leaves have been picked and dried. This ensures that the leaves oxidize slowly, giving this tea its distinct earthy flavor and dark color. Due to this process, Pu-erh tea is also less bitter than most other teas.
So, what benefits does this tea have, and how can you drink it?
What are the benefits of Pu-erh loose leaf tea?
Pu-erh loose leaf tea is rich in compounds called L-theanine and GABA. Both of these compounds help to promote a sense of calm and relaxation, so it’s ideal for drinking in the morning to set you up for a productive, stress-free day.
Also, because this tea is fermented using bacteria, the tea leaves still contain these healthy, ‘good’ bacteria by the time you come to drink them. These bacteria contribute to the gut microbiome, the collection of microbes that help to keep our gut and our digestion healthy. A healthy gut microbiome is also associated with a healthy immune system and good mental health.
What does Pu-erh loose leaf tea taste like?
Pu-erh tea is classified as somewhere between green tea and black tea and unlike most other teas, its flavor gets better over time as the leaves age and undergo further natural oxidation and microbial fermentation processes.
The fermentation processes this tea undergoes gives it a full-bodied, woody flavor and as it ages and becomes riper, it develops a mellow, sweet note, further refining the flavor.
All of these properties give Pu-erh loose leaf tea a unique flavor with a distinct earthiness, meaning that it isn’t for everyone. It’s so revered in China though, that it’s under protected designation there. This means that Pu-erh tea produced anywhere other than the Yunnan Province would be considered inferior and a fake.
Like most black teas, Pu-erh tea does contain caffeine, but this caffeine is in a form that’s absorbed at a slower rate, so you don’t get an instant, in your face, caffeine hit followed by jitters and a comedown. It’s for this reason that Pu-erh loose leaf tea is favored by many in place of coffee.
How do I drink Pu-erh loose leaf tea?
We recommend steeping 4-5g of Nature Restore Organic Pu-erh Loose Leaf Tea in 8oz boiling water for 10-20 seconds before straining and drinking. Pu-erh loose leaf tea is actually best used by steeping the leaves more than once, adding 5-10 seconds each time, up to a maximum of four times.
This will allow you to experience the wide range of flavor profiles that Pu-erh loose leaf tea has, so that you can find your favorite.
If you enjoy a deeper, more intense flavor to your teas, infuse the Pu-erh tea leaves in boiling water (using the same leaf to water ratio) for 4-10 minutes for a fuller bodied flavor. The longer you leave the tea leaves to infuse, the deeper the flavor.
