Pu-erh Tea: Aged Chinese Tea Collection

               Pu-erh tea hails from the mountains of Yunnan Province in Western China. The oldest tea trees can be found in this special area. There are many tea farms as well as wild growing areas that all originate in Xishuanbanna area and Menghai County of Yunnan Provence. Most Pu-erh tea is aged anywhere from 5 years to 100 years. Aged Pu-erh tea is prized and can become quite valuable. The two main kinds of Pu-erh tea are Sheng (raw) and Shu (ripened). Most Sheng are enjoyed from 5 years and up and have many subtle flavors and tastes. Shu Pu-erh uses a faster process to make the tea and this is what gives Pu-erhs their special earthy taste. Shu tea also can age for a few years and mellow to a fine drinkable taste. There are different factories and labels that make Pu-erh a vast field of tea in and of itself. Factories such as Kunming, Menghai, Xiaguan and Dayi are some of the well-known factories.

Antique Pu-erh Tea Comes in Interesting Shapes!

Pu-erh tea comes in many interesting shapes and much of it is compressed. There are Beeng Chas or disc teas shaped like a frisbee. There are also Zunchas or rectangular bricks, Tuochas or Bird’s Nests are quite popular and look like a small bowl. You can also find square tile-like slabs as well as mushroom shaped teas which are often called Tibetan Mushroom.  All this as well many loose leaf varieties which can range in age from 10-40 years old and older.

Authentic Chinese Tea

Each set of Pu-erh leaves can steep between 4 and 10 times and beyond. Authentic wild leaves steep many times, and the flavors change with each serving. Pu-erh teas offer a wonderful world of tastes and flavors as one delves into the aged selections.