Pu-erh Teas

Pu-erh Teas are low in tannins and have a rich, unique earthy flavor and handles multiple steepings without losing flavor. According to scientific studies Pu-erh teas have many health benefits.
Pu-erh Tea is the perfect tea after a heavy meal, it helps relieve any indigestion and aids in the digestion of fatty foods. Pu-erh Tea cleanses the blood, lowers cholesterol and triglycerides, help with weight control and is also known to help a hangover or two.

Green Tuo Cha, Organic Fair Trade Green Pu-erh Tea
Commonly classified as a “Green Pu-erh,” this compressed sun-dried green tea is made with only the meticulously selected silvery buds from the ancient tea trees. Each tuo cha is individually wrapped and can be infused several times. Our Green Tuo Cha is best suited for steeping in 8–12 ounces of water. Its flavor is rich with notes of honey, citrus and persimmon. The character is unique to this tea tree varietal with its smooth finish and pleasantly refreshing energy. Water: 190°F / Leaves: 1 piece per 8–12 ounces / Infusion Time: 3–4 minutes
4pc $14.00 | 16pc $48.00 | 32pc $75.00 Qty:

Pu-erh Maiden, Organic Fair Trade Pu-erh Tea
This loose leaf Pu-erh is made with hand harvested tealeaves from the wild ancient tea trees of Yunnan’s Jingmai Mangjing high mountain tea villages, which are home to some of the world’s oldest living tea trees. The local people of Jingmai Mangjing climb their ancient tea trees to harvest the new growth leaves and buds that are used to make our exceptional teas. This Organic Maiden grade of Pu-erh exhibits a well-balanced, smooth flavor that is rich and sweet in its finish. It goes well with spicy or oily food. Maiden tea refers to a special grade of Pu-erh that is harvested by the young ladies of Jingmai Mangjing and was traditionally offered as a special portion of their dowry. It is one of the most prized grades of Pu-erh and rarely found in the US. Water: 212°F / Boiling / Leaves: 1 tablespoon per 8 ounces / Infusion Time: 5–6 minutes
1oz. $4.00| 4oz. $15.00 | 8oz. $25.00 | 16oz. $45.00 Qty:

Pu-erh Wang, Organic Fair Trade Pu-erh Tea
Pu-erh Wang (Wang being the Chinese Pinyin for “King”).
Pu-erh Wang is the top grade of our Pu-erh Tea and consists of only expertly fermented, golden buds and tender tealeaves from the top flushes of the tea trees growing in Jingmai Mangjing. This remarkable tea may improve with age if it is kept in the proper dry and cool condition, but why wait? Pu-erh Wang is perfect for drinking now and puts to shame many of the so called rare vintages available for 10 times the price.Pu-erh Wang has a rich, full body with sweet and unique chocolate and espresso notes. It is quite unlike most earthy and one dimensional Pu-erhs and suits just about any type of meal other than sushi and sashimi. The compressed tea cakes have a bit stronger flavor and can endure more infusions than the loose tea but the loose tea has a unique complexity that is not found in the compressed cake. Water: 200°F / Boiling / Leaves: 1–2 tablespoons per 8 ounces / Infusion Time: Infuse Pu-erh Wang for 2–3 minutes for first two infusions and 4–6 minutes for all infusions after the 2nd
1oz. $15.00 | 4oz.55.00 | 8oz. $80.00 Qty:

Pu-erh Ginger, Organic Fair Trade Pu-erh Tea
According to traditional Chinese Medicine, Pu-erh tea has a warm and potent property. It is known to dispel grease and toxins from a diet rich in beef and other meats. Researchers in China report that Pu-erh is the best of all teas for weight loss and cholesterol reduction. Our blend of 100% Organic Ginger and 100% Orange Peel with 100% Organic Pu-erh tea was inspired by an ancient formula developed in the 16th Century by one of China’s leading herbal doctors for to improve digestion, promote slimming as well as purge toxins from a meat heavy diet. The zesty notes of orange and ginger complement the rich, earthy flavors of Pu-erh and its soothing digestive properties. Medicinal in nature and wonderfully tasty. Water: 212°F / Boiling / Leaves: 1 tablespoon per 8 ounces / Infusion Time: 5–6 minutes
1oz. $4.50 | 4oz. 15.00 | 8oz. $28.00 | 16oz. $50.00 Qty:

To Prepare Pu-erh Tea
The best tea is only as good as the water in which it was prepared. Use filtered or bottled water that is clear of too many hard minerals (e.g., Calcium). Hard or distilled water can destroy a good tea.

Use 2 teaspoons (or use 1 small tuo-cha) of Pu-erh tea per 12 oz. cup. Place the tea into a tea filter, teapot or brew basket.

Pour rapidly boiling water over the tealeaves and steep for 20 seconds. Discard this first steeping immediately as it is not to be drunk. This rinses the tea and prepares it for proper steeping.

Pu-erh Teas are great for coffee drinkers. Brew long and strong 15-20 min. This tea has the strength and flavor to match up to good cup of coffee as well as the caffeine. For iced Pu-erh brew 30-60 min. and pour over ice.

Pour rapidly boiling water over the tealeaves and steep until desired strength.

Remove the tea filter from the cup or decant the entire teapot into cups or a sharing pitcher. Reserve the tealeaves for another steeping. Pu-erh teas are good for consecutive steepings. Increase the steeping time after the third steeping.

Pu-erh is a town in Yunnan, China; which was once famous for its tea trade. There are many forms of pu-erh tea (after oxidized tea) but none are grown and processed in the town. The many "after oxidized" teas from this region were once heavily traded and exported from pu-erh town (which is how this tea category got its name) but through a long period of civil unrest and disaster the tea trade diminished in the once boom town of tea. The "Pu-erh" teas come from a tea varietal known as "Da Yeh"(broad leaf type). Which have been propagated from pre-historic tea trees that are as old as 1800 years old. This broad leaf variety of tea is the camellia assamica evergreen and is best suited to warm and humid growing conditions.

Pu-erh tea becomes alive during a miraculous process that facilitates the development of active yeast cultures. The two beneficial yeast, which create the unique character of Pu-erh tea are known as the yellow and white yeast types. When the temperature of the environment is higher (Spring & Summer), yellow yeast is in its most active state, and thrives. This is the reason why Pu-erh tea is called "after oxidized tea". At this time the tea cake is oxidizing. It is best to drink Pu-erh tea in this stage.

When moisture content of the air is higher, the white yeast will become active. In this stage, the white yeast ferments the tea and you can smell the fragrance of aging of tea. Pu-erh tea would not be a Pu-erh tea if the cake did not consist of both yeast. However, the active period of both yeast may vary a little. Thus, if you smell moldy (yellow yeast) all the time, then this indicates that cake is either immature or of bad quality. The most reserve Pu-erh teas are aged and develop their character over the course of many seasons. Good Pu-erh teas get better with age, like some fine wines.

Pu-erh tea has yin (cold) energy, and as the aging process proceeds, the energy will transfer to a more yang (warm) energy. Typically, Pu-erh teas that are younger than 3 years old are used in Chinese medicine to balance the Qi (energy) within people. Since Pu-erh tea is a living tea, it is proper to store it in a place that permits a flow of fresh air and provides a warm and humid environment.

Pu-erh Tea

Coffee • Tea • Gourmet Foods • Home Accents
Historic Smithville • FAQ / Contact • Home

Cooks Corner Gourmet Coffee and Tea
Copyright ©2008 Cooks Corner. All rights reserved.