Pu Erh red tea

Pu Erh red teas

Red tea has been cultivated in China for more than 1,700 years. It began to gain real popularity during the Quinq Dynasty, although its flavor was appreciated earlier, especially at the imperial court. It comes from the Pu'er region, located in Juunan province - hence its popular name pu-erh. Interestingly, in its country of origin pu-erh is called black (dark) tea. This is because the Chinese define teas by the color of the resulting infusion, not the color of the dried tea itself, as is the case in Europe. Red tea, therefore, yields a dark, opaque beverage with a deep, somewhat spicy and bitter flavor, which may present some challenges for the novice tea connoisseur. However, it is not worth getting discouraged. After all, Pu-erh hides many health-promoting benefits. First and foremost, it is characterized by its weight-loss properties - this is what it is best known for. It also supports digestive processes, strengthens memory, stimulates circulation and protects teeth from decay. What else is worth knowing about it?

A ripe taste worth appreciating

The red tea leaves are harvested from Camelia Sinensis var Assamica bushes growing on the slopes of the Six Great Tea Mountains, near Xishuangbanna. After they are picked, they undergo a fermentation process that, depending on the method used, can take up to several decades. In this sense, red tea is a bit like wine - the older it is, the richer its flavor and the more valuable it is. For the same reason, for storing pu-erh at home, it is worth choosing a vessel with less airtightness - then, having access to oxygen, the tea will gain value with each passing day. Fermentation can occur naturally - in which case it takes years - or with the use of the wodui method, which helps speed up the whole process considerably. In this case, the help of microorganisms and noble fungi is used to produce red tea. Once the fermentation process is complete, pu-erh leaves are pressed into large, thick disks commonly called "cakes."

Weight flies off, or the miraculous properties of red tea

Pu-erh should be reached especially by people who care about losing weight. Red tea aids weight loss: the enzymes contained in it stimulate digestion, while caffeine makes pu-erh a real fat slayer. Importantly, it also stimulates circulation and has a diuretic effect, so it helps remove excess water from the body and prevent swelling, so often mistaken for fat. Of course, there are no miracles - red tea has weight-loss effects only if it is only a significant addition to a proper diet and exercise. However, the health benefits of red tea do not end there. An infusion of fermented leaves of the tea bush lowers bad cholesterol and normalizes blood pressure. It also prevents the formation of free radicals - so it is worth drinking it if you want to delay the aging processes in the body. Like any drink containing caffeine - it invigorates, but much more gently and for a longer time than, for example, coffee. By the way, it also stimulates memory. Finally - red tea contains a lot of minerals and trace elements, including fluoride - so when drunk in adequate amounts it helps prevent tooth decay.

Does red tea have disadvantages?

To enjoy the benefits of pu-erh, it is advisable to drink 5-6 cups of the brew daily. But beware: there are situations in which red tea can be harmful. Due to its sizable caffeine content, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should refrain from consuming this drink. Drunk in excess, rich in fluoride, red tea can also harm people with osteoporosis. Apart from these two cases, pu-erh is recommended for everyone! The only initial barrier may be its demanding taste. Therefore, for those who are just beginning their adventure with this drink, we recommend choosing dried tea enriched with delicious fruit additives.