Pu-erh is one of the most expensive grades of tea in the world. It differs from other grades in specifics of production which the Chinese masters perfectly know not one century. As judges of this grade appear worldwide to this day, we will tell about its history, technology of preparation and the correct use.
History
Since the III century the Chinese grew up the Yunnan tea tree, and in the VIII century the tea produced from these raw materials began to be called puersky or Pu's tea. From the South of the Province of Yunnan the tea leaves began to deliver to neighboring countries — Mongolia and Tibet. In Europe this look appeared in the middle of the last century as China always carefully kept the secrets and was quite closed for other countries and their culture.
Features of production
The main feature of this grade consists in fermentation in the course of which Pu-erh finds the taste and structure. In the course of production, tea passes such stages:
- collecting leaves;
- drying;
- twisting of juice from leaves;
- fermentation — acceleration of fermentation of leaves of tea;
- drying;
- pressing together;
- some grades of Pu-erh demand also ripening.
It is important! Before the product began to be delivered on cars, fermentation happened on the way to the consumer. With the advent of cars time of delivery was reduced, and manufacturers thought up to ferment tea artificially. A number of producers claims that the taste of Pu-erh becomes more saturated over time, however, the taste depends on a way of production.
Types
The Chinese tea Pu-erh has several types, each of which has the advantages.
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Green tea (Shen)
This grade represents the raw, crude, green tea. It is made by method of natural maturing. The made Shen has a light green shade and smack of dried fruits. As a rule, after 2-3-year endurance, Pu-erh of this look stops being bitterish, at the same time it should be stored correctly.
Whether you know? Shen Pu-erh is more senior than 40 years it is almost impossible to find off-the-shelf — it meets, mostly, at auctions and is pride of collectors around the world.
Black tea (shu)
Shue the — the processed, mature, black tea which fermentation happens in the artificial way. Production of this grade began only in 1973 with the advent of technology of artificial fermentation. Made shu has chocolate and mint taste and a shade of cognac. At the correct storage in several years the product loses smack of a so-called wet heap. In a separate look Pu-erhs determined by production process. Despite this, Pu-erh shu can mistakenly be defined how a type of black tea, because of color of its leaves and the drink.
White Pu-erh
The taste of white Pu-erh cardinally differs from Shen and shu. Besides, this grade of Pu-erh is made of buds of the Yunnan tree, but not of leaves therefore has effect of antioxidant. Characteristic feature of white Pu-erh is its grass taste with a note of dried fruits. Raw materials undergo short process of fermentation within 5-7 days, and then it is dried at a temperature of +45 °C.
A variety of types of the pressed tea
Pu-erh is pressed in several ways and has the following forms subsequently:
- pressed;
- in the form of a lump;
- loose;
- tea pitch;
- in the form of tangerine.
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Structure
Pu-erh has to consist only of a tea leaf of the Yunnan tea tree. If tea does not contain third-party impurity, then its chemical composition includes the phenolic connections serving as antioxidants and antiseptics; amino acids which are responsible for quality and color of a grade; alkaloids which render the toning effect on an organism. Also natural Pu-erh is enriched with vitamins C, E, A, P and various mineral substances. Power value is 151.8 kcal on 100 g.
Whether you know? Pu-erh will help to lower cholesterol level in blood and warns a stroke and also heart ischemia.
Effect of intoxication
As a rule, truly made real Pu-erh has a certain intoxicating effect. However, fans of this grade of tea specify that intoxication from it has a little general with intoxication alcoholic or narcotic. At consumption of Pu-erh the following is noted:
- deep perception of own thoughts and feelings;
- increase in attention;
- improvement of digestion and normalization of pressure;
- relaxation;
- cheerfulness of a body and mind.
Important! The Tibetan monks use infusion that during meditation to strengthen control over a brain and a body. Unlike alcoholic intoxication, the tea state leads to normalization of work of nervous system and concentration.
How to have tea it is correct
First of all, it is not undesirable to drink Pu-erh before going to bed, otherwise you will be able simply to fall asleep. Also it is not necessary to use this tea and on an empty stomach, it is better to do it in half an hour after a meal as in this case it really brings benefit to your stomach and has the toning effect on an organism.
Useful properties
The Asian people consider Pu-erh hundred diseases medicine. Anyway, tea drink will not cure serious diseases, but is capable to improve the general health and to add cheerfulness. Correctly made Pu-erh accelerates exchange processes and normalizes pressure and also work of nervous system. Many sources also indicate normalization of weight and weight loss and also clarification of vessels. The grade is not contraindicated at gastritis.
Contraindications
First of all, this grade can be contraindicated to allergic persons and at individual intolerance of a product. People of old age who have chronic diseases are also not recommended to use Pu-erh in large numbers. Pregnant women and the feeding women also should not be fond of Pu-erh, no more than one cup a day — an admissible dose. The product is strictly contraindicated to children up to three years.
Make useful tea with a thyme.
Rules of a zavarivaniye
Correctly to make drink, you should not fill in it with boiled water, it is the best of all to do it by water which temperature of 90-95 degrees. On 150 ml of water four teaspoons of tea are required. It is possible to use tea leaves to 5 times. In the first two tea drinking it is necessary to draw tea only several seconds, with each subsequent tea leaves increase insisting time for 20-30 seconds. It is possible to call Pu-erh the useful drink strengthening your health. However, as well as any medicine, it is necessary to use it correctly and moderately. Contrary to common opinion, Pu-erh has no relation to alcoholic beverages or narcotic substances.