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Pu'er & Dark Tea

Pu'er tea has an ancient history of more than 2,000 years, originating in Yunnan Province of southwestern China. Rishi carries many vintages and blends of Pu'er tea including sheng and shu Pu'er.

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Expertly Curated Chinese Pu’er Tea

Grown specifically in the Yunnan Province of China, Pu’er gets its name from the market town it was first sold in. The Pu’er variety has been enjoyed in China since around 50 CE, and was quickly popularized in the area due to its ease of transport and storage, and its one-of-a-kind, rich and earthy flavor. Today, it is one of the most sought after and highly prized varieties in the world, with its deeply complex, developed and rich flavor.

How to Brew Chinese Pu’er Tea

If brewing Pu’er in a Western style teapot, it is best to brew about 1-2 tablespoons of tea with 7-8 ounces of boiling water and steeping for about a minute.

To get the best expression of this tea, however, use a gaiwan teapot. Pu’er is ideal for multiple short brews, called “washes.” In general, it is best to brew 8-9 grams of tea with 7 ounces of boiling water, steeping for about 45 seconds. Brew multiple times until the taste weakens, and then adjust the preference to your taste.

FAQs

No, Pu’er is a variety specifically cultivated in the Yunnan province of China. Teas grown outside of this region cannot be classified as Pu’er.

Pu’er is remarkable as a tea due to its unique fermented and aged processing. Much like wine, this variety undergoes a post-fermentation that significantly develops the natural flavors of the tea. For home-aging Pu’er, it is best to purchase Shu (cooked) Pu’er.

Sheng (raw) Pu’er is a lightly cooked, floral, and light tea. Sheng Pu’er is aged for years before they reach proper fermentation. Shu (cooked) Pu’er, alternatively, is much darker and more developed, requiring an aging period of only a few months for proper flavor.

Tea cakes do not taste inherently different from loose leaf teas, but they do brew slightly differently. Loose leaf brews will taste stronger in the first few brews, while tea cakes tend to taste stronger towards later brews.

Exquisite Teas from Unique Origins

These unique teas from the Yunnan province aren’t the only regionally prepared tea we offer. Rishi Tea & Botanicals offers a wide variety of unique and regionally celebrated teas, including Darjeeling, Oolong, Rooibos, and many more! Whether you are looking for a specialty tea or a tea flight to explore a specific region, Rishi Tea & Botanicals is certain to have the right assortment for you.