With the rise of the Pu-erh tea trend, this ancient tea variety, originally from the deep mountains of Yunnan, has become increasingly beloved by modern people. So, what characteristics does Pu-erh tea have that make it so cherished by tea enthusiasts, collectors, and health preservation advocates?
Pu-erh tea is unique in its origin, variety, quality, production process, shape, packaging, and consumption methods.
Pu-erh tea is produced in the tea mountains or wild tea forests of the Lancang River basin in Yunnan Province. The region features year-round humidity, pervasive fog, deep soil layers, fertile land, and no pollution, resulting in purely natural organic tea. Wild Pu-erh tea trees, many hundreds of years old, are abundant and often grow mixed with camphor trees, jujube trees, and others, giving the brewed tea a unique aroma of camphor and jujube, among others, and exceptional quality.
Pu-erh tea belongs to the Yunnan large-leaf tea species, characterized by: long and robust buds, numerous white hairs, silvery sheen, large and soft leaves, thick stems with long internodes, long new shoot growth periods, abundant tender buds, and vigorous development. According to tea science research data, the water extracts, tea polyphenols, and catechins per gram of Yunnan large-leaf tea far exceed those of other famous Chinese teas, forming the material basis for Pu-erh tea's continuous fermentation, aging potential, and unique quality.
The most fundamental characteristic of Pu-erh tea is that it is a 'drinkable antique,' with the feature of improving with age, making it contrary to the traditional notion that 'tea should be fresh, wine should be aged.' Pu-erh tea can continue to ferment in the air, becoming more aromatic over time. As the aging period extends, its quality improves, with century-old treasures valued like gold.
The production process of Pu-erh tea also differs from other teas. It is made from sun-dried raw tea through natural fermentation or artificial pile fermentation. Sun-drying and post-fermentation are key aspects that distinguish Pu-erh from other teas.
The shape and packaging of Pu-erh tea are also unique. Besides loose tea, compressed Pu-erh tea can be made into cake tea, tuo tea, square tea, brick tea, heart-shaped tea, melon tea, gourd tea, bamboo tube tea, and more, offering a variety of forms. In packaging, Pu-erh tea often uses natural materials such as bamboo leaves, bamboo baskets, and tied bamboo strips, which allow ventilation to facilitate post-fermentation while embodying a rustic, ancient charm, making it easy to transport, drink, and store.
Pu-erh tea is the most particular among Chinese famous teas regarding brewing techniques and drinking art. Its consumption methods are exceptionally diverse: it can be drunk plain or mixed. Plain drinking refers to brewing without any additives, commonly seen among the Han people; mixed drinking involves adding preferred ingredients to the tea, often practiced by ethnic minorities, such as Tibetan butter tea. With growing health and healthcare awareness, modern people often add ingredients like chrysanthemums, goji berries, and American ginseng to Pu-erh tea for health benefits. Endurance in brewing is another characteristic of Pu-erh tea; using a lidded bowl or purple clay pot to brew aged Pu-erh can yield over 20 infusions without losing flavor or color.
Related link: Benefits of Golden Pearl Pu-erh