Pu-erh Tea

Enthusiasts of Pu'er tea who have been enjoying it for some time will undoubtedly have a fine collection at home, ready to be savored over time. It's crucial to properly manage humidity and odors to preserve your beloved teas. Here, we discuss the four don'ts and do's of storing Pu'er tea. The Four Taboos of Storing Pu'er Tea at Home Taboo One: Avoid High Temperatures High temperatures accelerate the degradation of chlorophyll in Pu'er tea, causing it to convert into de-magnified chlorophyll, changing its fresh green color to dark brown. The auto-oxidation of polyphenols and other substances also accelerates under high temperatures. Research shows that for every 10°C increase in temperature, the rate of browning in Pu'er tea accelerates, affecting its quality and aging process. Taboo Two: Avoid Direct Sunlight The plant pigments and lipids in Pu'er tea are susceptible to photochemical reactions, which can produce sun-dried and other off-flavors. Pu'er tea is particularly sensitive to light, so it should be stored away from direct sunlight. Taboo Three: Avoid Strong Odors Tea leaves are porous and easily absorb odors. Therefore, avoid storing Pu'er tea in places with strong odors, as these can taint the tea's natural flavor. Taboo Four: Avoid…...

Kneading is a very important step in the production process of Pu'er tea, following the initial steaming. Kneading involves the actions of "kneading" and "twisting," transforming the steamed leaves, which are close to their natural state, into a specific shape through either "hand" or "mechanical" methods. The purpose of this process is to break the cell walls and release the tea juices, allowing for the polymerization of tea polyphenols, catechins, and other active components, preparing the tea for later fermentation. Additionally, it helps to curl the loose leaves into strips, facilitating an even release of the tea's contents during brewing. The strength of the kneading, duration, and degree of cell wall rupture are closely related to the taste, aroma, and aging potential of the Pu'er tea. The Characteristics of Kneading in Pu'er Tea Among the six major types of Chinese teas, all except traditional white tea undergo a kneading process. However, in many types of tea, the kneading process is primarily for shaping, often using a "light kneading" approach, which is essentially completed without pressure and with very short kneading times. The goal is to achieve a high rate of leaf formation, low breakage, and maintain the original color of…...

How is Dragon Ball tea made? The production method of Dragon Ball Pu'er tea is the same as that of raw Pu'er tea, except that Dragon Balls are in a spherical form. The shape of Dragon Balls represents a revival of the Pu'er tea cake form. In the past, tea cakes required breaking before brewing, but now Dragon Balls come in sizes of 5-8 grams, just right for one serving, eliminating the need for breaking. As Dragon Ball tea cakes maintain the taste of tea while being convenient and appealing to consumer preferences, they have been well-received by the market. The Process of Making Sun-Dried Green Tea 1. Preparation of Raw Materials Preparation of raw materials is the most important step in making sun-dried green tea. This type of tea is best made from fresh buds and leaves of large-leaf tea varieties, which should be handpicked using proper techniques to ensure high-quality tea leaves. 2. Spreading Out and Fixation After picking, the tea leaves should be spread out and placed in a cool, ventilated area to speed up the evaporation of moisture. Once the fresh leaves become soft, they can proceed to the next step. Fixation, which can be conducted…...

The “burnt pieces” in Pu'er raw tea are undesirable. However, this undesirability is not due to toxicity or harm to health but mainly affects the taste and appearance of the tea infusion. Theoretically, these “burnt pieces” can be avoided during the Pu'er tea production process; however, in practical application, they are almost impossible to avoid. The “burnt pieces” in Pu'er raw tea are essentially scorched tea juice that sticks to the iron wok and is not something dirty. During the process of fixing the fresh leaves, a large amount of water and tea juice overflow from the leaves, while the wok temperature is mostly above 200°C, which is very high. After several batches of fixing, a layer of tea juice forms on the surface of the iron wok, which is scorched black by the high heat and mixes with a small amount of the Pu'er tea material. We mentioned earlier that theoretically, “burnt pieces” can be avoided, and the most direct method would be to carefully clean the iron wok after each batch of fixing and before processing the next batch. If the scorched tea juice on the iron wok is completely washed off, it is theoretically possible to prevent…...

Cardboard boxes can be used to store tea cakes, which saves time and money and is environmentally friendly. However, before placing the tea cakes into a cardboard box, they should be wrapped in vinyl. Otherwise, if the tea cakes are placed directly in the box, they may come into contact with odors from the outside environment, causing them to develop unwanted flavors during storage, affecting the quality of the tea cakes. When storing raw Pu'er tea in a cardboard box, it's essential to place the box in a dry location, avoiding dampness and excessive moisture absorption, as this could cause the raw Pu'er tea inside to spoil. Additionally, when using a cardboard box to store raw Pu'er tea, avoid exposing it to items with strong odors, as this can cause the tea to absorb unwanted flavors, affecting its aroma and taste when brewed. Why isn't Pu'er tea stored in a purple clay jar as good as that stored in a cardboard box? In the public eye, a purple clay jar is more expensive than a cardboard box, so one might expect it to provide better results for storing tea. However, many tea enthusiasts have discovered that the effects of storing…...

Puer Tea Sealed Storage Experiment Sealed storage of Puer tea inevitably involves the issue of oxygen supply in the warehouse. According to post-fermentation theory, Puer tea requires oxygen and a certain level of humidity for post-fermentation, so the tea storage warehouse needs to be ventilated to allow the tea to undergo post-fermentation. However, many people have found that when tea is stored under ventilated conditions, while the infusion color turns red, it loses its aroma after two or three years, and the bitterness and astringency do not diminish over time. Additionally, under ventilated conditions, the tea's aroma naturally cannot be preserved. In fact, the later changes in Puer tea are influenced by two factors: one is microbial fermentation, which is an external effect; the other is the action of active enzymes within the tea leaves, which is an internal effect. After sealing and controlling the humidity, Puer tea does not require microbial fermentation, but instead relies primarily on the active enzymes present in the tea to facilitate its transformation. When storing tea in a sealed and oxygen-deprived environment, how would Puer tea change? This question led me to conduct an experiment on the effects of oxygen in sealed storage. Experimental…...

Wild Yunnan black tea, a gift from nature, is full of unique charm and flavor. It grows in pristine forests, drawing the essence of heaven and earth, carrying the blessings of nature. Its shape is tightly knotted, with a lustrous dark color, and buds are visible. The unique aroma is floral and fruity, fresh and rich, intoxicating to the nose. In terms of taste, wild Yunnan black tea is mellow and sweet with a full-bodied infusion that carries a rich scent of the wilderness. Upon entry into the mouth, one can feel the smoothness and delicacy of the infusion, with a lingering aftertaste that is unforgettable. How much does wild Yunnan black spring tea cost? The price for 2024 Fengqing Yunnan wild black tea - pure bud material loose tea (250g) is 130 yuan. The price for 2024 Fengqing Yunnan wild black tea - pure bud material loose tea (500g) is 260 yuan. The price for 2024 Fengqing Yunnan wild black tea - pure bud material loose tea (1000g) is 500 yuan. Data source: ChaWo Network The taste of wild Yunnan black tea Mellow and Rich: The flavor is thick and robust. Sweet and Delicious: Has a natural sweetness that…...

Why can green tea and lightly fragrant Tieguanyin be stored in the fridge, while Pu'er tea and some other types of tea cannot? Why Pu'er Tea Should Not Be Stored in the Fridge Like Green Tea 1. The fridge is humid with a high level of moisture, and Pu'er tea has excellent adsorption properties. Adsorbing moisture can cause the tea to become damp and moldy. 2. Various fruits and vegetables are often stored in the fridge. Storing Pu'er tea in the fridge would cause it to adsorb unwanted odors and flavors, leading to off-tastes and spoilage. 3. The ideal storage temperature for Pu'er tea is typically around 30 degrees Celsius. The low temperature inside the fridge is not conducive to the tea's maturation process. Pu'er tea is a fermented tea that contains beneficial microorganisms. The distinctive feature of Pu'er tea, where its flavor improves over time, is attributed to these enzymes. For enzymes to function effectively, they require a well-ventilated, cool, and dry environment. Therefore, it is best to store Pu'er tea at room temperature in a well-ventilated and dry place. Storing it in the fridge increases the risk of mold growth. Pu'er tea is not very picky about its…...

Dark tea undergoes external microbial fermentation, which involves not only the enzymatic reactions of the leaves themselves but also the assistance of external microorganisms. Professor Liu Zhonghua notes that in English descriptions, the process for black tea (red tea in Chinese) is referred to as “oxidation,” while dark tea truly undergoes “fermentation.” The wet-piling fermentation is a unique process in the making of dark tea. The wet-piling process itself is the fermentation process, where compressed dark tea leaves are sprinkled with water under controlled humidity and temperature conditions. This promotes the action of enzymes within the tea leaves and the activity of microorganisms, facilitating the transformation of the tea. The wet-piling process itself is the fermentation process. Compressed dark tea leaves are sprinkled with water under controlled humidity and temperature conditions. This promotes the action of enzymes within the tea leaves and the activity of microorganisms, facilitating the transformation of the tea. When the core temperature reaches 70 degrees Celsius, the pile is turned to ensure even temperature distribution, a process repeated multiple times. When all conditions are optimal, the metabolism of the microorganisms, along with the extracellular enzymes they secrete, can break down many substances in the tea, such…...

Everyone should be aware that there are two different forms of tea circulating in the Pu'er market. One is loose tea, which we also call loose leaf tea; the other is finished tea products produced by tea factories, which are compressed into three main shapes: tuocha, cake (beeng), and brick. Why do we compress loose leaf tea into these shapes? What advantages does this compression offer? Today, let's discuss this topic. The vast majority of teas circulating in the entire Pu'er market are in the form of cakes, bricks, or tuo. This applies to both raw and ripe teas. To understand their advantages, we need to first get a general idea of their compression process. First, the loose leaf tea purchased from farmers undergoes a process to remove impurities. It goes through a color sorter to pick out yellow leaves, stems, and larger impurities. The wind selection process is now rarely used as it results in significant loss and mediocre results. Then, an electrostatic machine removes hair-like matter and ash from the tea, ensuring it meets national standards for purity. Some manufacturers also perform grading, sorting the tea into several grades and blending them according to specific ratios. This step…...

On August 16, the launch ceremony for the global communication initiative "Tea and the World" was held in Beijing. The event, themed around "Inheriting and Promoting Tea Culture, Exchanging and Learning to Benefit the World," focused on the global communication plan for Chinese tea. △Event scene (photos provided by the event organizers) Leaders and guests including Du Zhanyuan, Member of the Standing Committee of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC and Director of the China International Publishing Administration; Liu Zhonghua, Alternate Member of the 20th Central Committee and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, President of Hunan Normal University; Long Zhuangwei, Member of the Standing Committee of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC and Deputy Director of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Guang Defu, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organizations and Ambassador; Punyama Gunasekara, Minister Counselor and Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in China; Zhang Zhongcan, Vice President of the China International Tea Culture Research Association; Xu Shaogang, Dean of Academic Affairs at the Chinese Culture Academy, delivered speeches. △Du Zhanyuan, Member of the Standing Committee of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC…...

What is Kudzu Flower Tea? Kudzu flower tea is a type of tea made from kudzu flowers. Kudzu itself is a Chinese medicinal herb commonly used to treat various health issues. Kudzu flower tea has gained popularity among health enthusiasts in recent years due to its unique aroma and refreshing taste. Not only does it have a fresh flavor, but it is also rich in numerous nutrients and has significant health benefits. (Image source: network, delete upon infringement) Main Components and Benefits of Kudzu Flower Tea Kudzu flower tea contains abundant flavonoids, isoflavones, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Flavonoids have strong antioxidant effects, which can help eliminate free radicals in the body and slow down the aging process. Isoflavones help regulate female hormones, alleviate symptoms of menopause, and promote bone density. In addition, kudzu flower tea has several notable benefits: 1. Improves Blood Circulation and Metabolism The active ingredients in kudzu flower tea can dilate blood vessels, improve blood circulation, and enhance the efficiency of oxygen and nutrient delivery in the blood. This is very helpful for boosting metabolism, enhancing physical strength, and resistance. 2. Relieves Fatigue and Increases Stamina Long-term consumption of kudzu flower tea can effectively relieve physical…...