How to Properly Brew Pu-erh Tea? How to Brew Pu-erh Tea Tablets?
Before we dive into the topic of “how to brew Chinese pu-erh tea,” we want to ask you a question: Do you love classics? That is, everything connected with nobility and elegance? At least partly? If your inner voice says “Yes!”, then pu-erh is exactly what your good taste will appreciate. Pu-erh is the noble elite of the Chinese tea industry. It consists of two types: Shu Pu-erh and Sheng Pu-erh. Both are original in their own way. China, with its rich climate, has given us the opportunity to enjoy the unique taste and aroma of this exotic drink, which even a schoolgirl can prepare. Some mistakenly believe that the recipe for making pu-erh is complicated. Many are especially intrigued by the question: how to brew pu-erh tea tablets? Having a brewing teapot (gaiwan), cups (pialas), and the right water in your arsenal, you can quickly master pu-erh preparation. But before learning its rules, a few words about the costly raw material...
Properties of Pu-erh Tea
Pu-erh is a fermented tea with a special taste and aroma, unique effects, and healing properties. The Chinese are convinced that pu-erhs prolong life. Whether coincidence or not, the province of Yunnan, where pu-erh varieties are produced, boasts the longest life expectancy.
Pu-erh is divided into two types: Shu Pu-erh and Sheng Pu-erh.
- Shu Pu-erh, meaning “ripe,” refers to black aged teas that produce a dark infusion (color ranges from cognac to chocolate), strong taste, and sharp aroma with woody, nutty, caramel-chocolate notes and hints of dried fruits. How to properly brew Shu Pu-erh — read on...
- Sheng Pu-erh, meaning “raw,” refers to green teas. It produces a light transparent infusion (depending on the age: raw material aged 5 years or more gives the infusion a cognac tint). The taste is tart-sweet and balanced. Brewing green pu-erh is not difficult but requires certain rules.
When consumed regularly, pu-erhs are considered true “healers.” They:
- improve digestion,
- normalize blood sugar levels,
- prolong youthful skin,
- prevent heart attacks and strokes,
- remove slags, toxins, and heavy metals from the body,
- cleanse the body of cholesterol,
- have a diuretic effect,
- normalize liver function,
- increase concentration and productivity,
- improve metabolism (help with weight loss)…
Authentic pu-erhs, made from leaves of tea trees over 100 years old, are sold loose-leaf and pressed. Pu-erhs are strong teas, so even a slight brewing is very pronounced. Now we approach the following questions:
- How to properly brew pu-erh?
- How to properly brew pu-erh tablets?
- How to brew loose-leaf pu-erh?
- How many times to brew pu-erh?
- How to brew pu-erh in a thermos?
- How to properly drink pu-erh?
- How to brew Shu Pu-erh?
- How to brew Sheng Pu-erh?
How to Brew Pu-erh?
Pu-erhs are unique in their taste, aroma, and healing properties. Only proper preparation can fully open the leaf, which in turn gives the brew all its beneficial qualities. By following the preparation rules, you can enjoy a tasty, aromatic, and rich drink with a toning effect. Each pu-erh type requires an individual approach, but generally, the process is simple.
A key role in “how to brew pu-erh tea” is played by water. It must be clean and soft. Tap water must never be used as it spoils the taste and aroma, preventing you from enjoying its natural originality. Tap water is only acceptable if filtered and rested. Spring water is ideal for brewing pu-erh and other specialty Chinese teas; bottled water is a suitable alternative.
How to brew pressed pu-erh? The best pu-erhs are sold pressed — usually cakes (357 g), bricks (250 g), and mini Tuo Cha (5 g). There are also small tablets weighing about 8 g. Pressed pu-erh looks like tightly compressed large tea leaves and is ideal for transportation.
First, break off a small piece of dry raw material with a knife (special pu-erh knife or regular). The ratio is 4 grams per 150 ml of water. Put it into a teapot preheated with boiling water. It can be glass, porcelain, or faience. True tea connoisseurs brew pu-erh in Yixing clay teapots, popular in China. Yixing clay uniquely allows leaves to “breathe” and fully open, releasing all beneficial elements into the drink. Important: the clay absorbs aromatic notes and later imparts them to subsequent brews. Therefore, a clay pot used for pu-erh should only be used for pu-erh (never for other teas).
Pour hot water over the leaves and immediately discard. This rinses dust and begins leaf unfolding. The second and subsequent brews are for drinking.
Remember: pu-erhs are Shu and Sheng. Brewing differs by water temperature. Shu (black) is brewed with water at 90-95°C and can be steeped up to 5 minutes at the end; Sheng (green) — 80-85°C, steeped 2-3 minutes (longer steeping causes bitterness). With each subsequent brew, steeping time increases by 20-30 seconds. After brewing, pour into cups (pialas) and enjoy the aromatic hot drink.
How many times and how long to brew pu-erh? Each variety has different parameters. Good quality pu-erhs withstand 5-7 brews, elite varieties up to 10.
How to drink pu-erh? In small sips. This is essential for Chinese teas. Only small sips allow you to fully appreciate the taste and aroma and catch the subtlest notes. Regarding how to drink pu-erh, add: it should be warm. Hot infusion often harms the body and aggravates gastrointestinal diseases.
How to Brew Pu-erh Tea Tablets?
How to properly brew pu-erh tea tablets? Pu-erh tablets aged 8-10 years are the most expensive and high-quality tea. Half a tablet is brewed in a 500 ml teapot. Brewing time and number of brews are the same as pressed pu-erh.
How to brew loose pu-erh? It’s simple. The main thing is the optimal amount of raw material — about 4 grams per 150 ml of water. Overall, follow the general scheme.
How to Brew Pu-erh Tea in a Thermos?
Pu-erh in a thermos is useful for long trips or busy workdays when there is little time for prolonged brewing. Start by warming the thermos — rinse with boiling water 2-3 times. Put tea leaves or a piece of pressed tea (half a tablet). Ratio: 10-15 grams of dry material per 1 liter of water. Pour boiling water and immediately discard. The second infusion steeps. After 20-25 minutes, the drink is ready. In a thermos, tea retains its beneficial properties, taste, and aroma for up to 24 hours.
How to brew pu-erh tablets in a thermos? Soften the tablet and put it in the thermos, pour water at the correct temperature (Shu pu-erh — 90-95°C, Sheng pu-erh — 80-85°C). Leave for 1-1.5 hours, then pour into cups (long steeping can cause strong bitterness).
Pu-erh Tea Effects
Now you know “how to properly brew pu-erh.” But there is a unique property of pu-erh that draws special interest among lovers of “invigorating” drinks. This is not about alcohol intoxication but a pronounced tonic effect, enriching the body with increased activity. How to brew Chinese pu-erh tea to get that kick? Correctly! And drink it in small sips. This helps relieve stress and significant tension. Knowing how to brew pu-erh properly is the first step to good mood and health at any age and time.
Where to Buy Pu-erh?
To ensure raw material quality, buy teas in trusted specialized stores. Many customers have already confirmed that the online store “Miy Chai” sells quality teas directly from Chinese tea provinces. Ordering pu-erh tea from “Miy Chai” is easy, fast, and convenient! We know not only how to deliver but also how to properly store valuable raw materials, observing all rules and standards.
We answered key questions: “How to brew pu-erh tea properly?” and “How to drink pu-erh tea properly?” As you can see, it’s not complicated. Brewing pu-erh tea is straightforward. A few tea steps — and you will grasp the subtleties of “how many times to brew pu-erh.” The quantity and time depend on your taste and preferences. Some prefer strong tea; others prefer light infusion. The main thing is to remember: pu-erh tea tablets, pressed, and loose are brewed at the same temperature regimes. It’s important not to over-steep Sheng pu-erh and not to under-steep Shu pu-erh. To make the drink truly tasty and aromatic, the water should be free of impurities.
Regarding “how to prepare pu-erh?” — we add: it is also possible with milk. The process is the same as with water. The result is a drink with a special milky taste and mild aroma.
Some tips on “how to properly brew pu-erh”:
- The best tea is that whose raw material brews well in a short time.
- Properly freshly brewed pu-erh has no bitterness.
- Pu-erh is not drunk with pastries.
If you want to become a true connoisseur of first-class Chinese teas, you must know how to brew pu-erh tea correctly to avoid unwanted side effects:
- If the first brew is too strong, it can cause poisoning and vomiting (with significant discomfort).
- Infusions from poor-quality raw materials have a negative effect on the body as a whole.
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