Tea, a common beverage in many households and offices, is often consumed when feeling drowsy to alleviate fatigue. However, excessive consumption can stimulate the nerves, causing overexcitement of the brain and leading to insomnia. Pu'er tea, however, not only revitalizes but also soothes the mind, which may seem contradictory but is actually accurate, depending on how it's consumed.

1. Revitalizing Effects of Pu'er Tea

The revitalizing effects of Pu'er tea mainly come from its Caffeine content. Once absorbed by the body, the tea stimulates the brain nerves, leading to an invigorating effect. Raw Pu'er teas, especially those that have aged for a short period, contain higher levels of stimulating components and thus exhibit more pronounced revitalizing effects. Typically, after a normal brewing time of 2 minutes, most of the caffeine is dissolved in the tea, causing an invigorating effect upon consumption.

When feeling tired, brewing a cup of raw Pu'er tea can stimulate the central nervous system, transitioning it from a sluggish state to one of alertness, enhancing cognitive abilities and increasing work efficiency.

2. Soothing Effects of Pu'er Tea

Over time, the internal substances in Pu'er tea oxidize, reducing their stimulating properties and diminishing the invigorating effects. This is particularly true for ripe Pu'er teas, which undergo a fermentation process where the caffeine and polyphenols react, reducing the caffeine content. With long-term aging, the bitterness and astringency decrease, resulting in a pleasant taste.

Soothing Effect Analysis: In the first two infusions, most of the caffeine in the tea dissolves, causing a noticeable physiological excitement. After several infusions, Theanine enters the body and inhibits the caffeine-induced excitement, gradually restoring the body to a calm state. Regular consumption enhances the soothing effects of theanine, helping the brain enter a sleep state and improving cognitive functions such as thinking, memory, and learning.

3. Choosing Based on Personal Needs

Understanding the mechanisms behind the revitalizing and soothing effects of Pu'er tea allows for tailored choices. If you need to stay awake late at night, drink the tea immediately after brewing. For a soothing effect before bedtime, allow the tea to steep longer and avoid drinking the first few infusions.

Warm Reminder

Pu'er teas with better quality contain more internal substances, making the initial invigorating effects more significant and lasting. To achieve a soothing effect, increase the number of infusions. Pu'er teas are divided into raw and ripe varieties, each with distinct effects. Raw teas have more pronounced invigorating effects, while ripe teas, having undergone fermentation, see a transformation in caffeine, making them suitable for soothing the nervous system during the day and having less impact on sleep.

If seeking a soothing effect, ripe teas are the best choice, and they can be enjoyed from the first infusion. It is worth noting that the selection of tea should not solely be based on its invigorating or soothing effects. Instead, it should consider factors such as age, constitution, health status, and living environment to achieve the desired Health benefits through tea consumption.