 | What is Puer Tea? Puer tea is a fermented tea, named after Pu'er county in Yunnan, China. It is an unusual tea, because unlike other teas which are consumed shortly after production, it can be over 50 years old and is usually aged at 1-4 years. Over this time it acquires an earthy flavour due to fermentation. This leads to puer having the unique trait among tea varieties of not losing its qualities after a year or two and of being classified by connoisseurs by year of production. Its flavor is strongly earthy but clean, reminiscent of the smell of rich garden soil or an autumn leaf pile, sometimes with roasted or sweet undertones. In Cantonese culture, pu-erh is known as po-lay, bo-lay tea, or bo-nay tea, and is often drunk during dim sum meals with family and friends, as it is believed to help with digestion. Puer is considered a medicinal tea in China. Puer tea has been subject to a number of health studies. A number of medical studies have substantiated claims that the tea helps reduce cholesterol levels and saturated fats in humans, and that it might also assist in weight loss. As well as in the form of loose leaves, puer tea is typically bought in hard, dry cakes of compacted tea. |