The differences between raw and ripe Pu'er tea: 1. Raw tea is mainly green or dark green in color; ripe tea is black or reddish-brown. 2. After picking, raw tea goes through processes such as withering, fixation, etc.; ripe tea also goes through fixation, kneading, etc. after picking. 3. After brewing, the Infusion of raw tea is light green or golden yellow; the infusion of ripe tea is chestnut red or dark red. 4. The water temperature for brewing raw tea is slightly lower; ripe tea can be brewed with boiling water.
The differences between raw and ripe Pu'er tea:
1. Process differences
Raw Pu'er tea is made from fresh leaves that undergo withering, fixation, kneading, sun-Drying, steaming, and pressing.
Ripe Pu'er tea is made from fresh leaves that undergo withering, fixation, kneading, sun-drying, and pile Fermentation.
In other words, ripe Pu'er tea is made through pile fermentation based on sun-dried Green Tea.
However, there are no loose teas for raw Pu'er; only compressed teas exist. Teas before steaming and pressing are just sun-dried green teas, which belong to a type of green tea. Only ripe Pu'er tea has both loose and compressed forms.
Tea cakes, brick teas, and tuo teas we see all belong to compressed teas, just in different shapes.
2. Color differences
In its new state, raw Pu'er tea is mainly dark green in both dry leaves and infused leaves, and the infusion is bright green-yellow.
Ripe Pu'er tea, on the other hand, has red-brown dry leaves and infused leaves when freshly made, and the infusion is red and bright.
However, over time, raw Pu'er tea gradually ages, and its color—whether dry leaves, infusion, or infused leaves—will slowly resemble that of ripe Pu'er tea. Raw Pu'er tea stored for more than ten years may also exhibit red infusion and leaves.
3. Taste differences
Raw Pu'er tea has high aroma, with rich layers of fragrance and taste, mainly including Honey, floral, and fruity aromas. It has a strong and full-bodied flavor and thick leaves.
Ripe Pu'er tea primarily features aged fragrance, with some having jujube, camphor, and woody aromas. Its taste is rich, mellow, and sweet.
However, over time, raw Pu'er tea gradually ages, and its aroma may develop an aged fragrance, and its taste may become similar to ripe tea.
Some readers might ask here, does aged raw Pu'er tea turn into ripe tea?
Answer: No.
From a process standpoint, raw and ripe Pu'er teas have entirely different processes. Therefore, no matter how many years raw Pu'er tea is stored, even if it develops a similar infusion color and taste to ripe tea, it remains old raw tea, not ripe tea. It's like twins: although they look very similar, they remain two independent individuals.
4. Suitable drinking groups differ
Pu'er tea is a natural healthy beverage. However, when drinking, we should select teas according to our own conditions.
Raw Pu'er tea is naturally beautiful and full of character, with a variety of aromas and tastes, adding a sense of mystery for tea enthusiasts. However, raw tea is somewhat cold in nature and has a strong taste. For tea drinkers with poor digestion, Xiaochajun Tea recommends drinking more ripe Pu'er tea or older raw tea.