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Pu-erh tea, also known as pho nhi tea, stands as one of China's ten renowned teas. Its delightful flavor and health benefits make it a global favorite. If you're still wondering about the essence of Pu-erh tea, its uses, and the art of brewing, read on.
1. Essential Insights into Pu-erh Tea
What is Pu-erh Tea?
Pu-erh tea, or pho nhi tea, is a fermented black tea crafted through traditional methods in Yunnan Province, China.
Historically, the fermentation process has ties to ethnic minorities in Northern Vietnam and Southern China.
Crafted from the leaves of ancient Shan Snow tea trees, Pho Nhi Tea is compressed into tea cakes and naturally fermented.
The fermentation process can extend up to a century, allowing microorganisms to thrive on the starch in Shan tea leaves. The longer the fermentation, the higher the quality, and consequently, the more expensive the tea becomes.
Pho Nhi Tea boasts a distinctive aroma, presenting a deep red hue with hints of mustiness and a subtle fragrance from the natural fermentation. This process mellows the tea, reducing bitterness and enhancing sweetness.
How Many Types of Pho Nhi Tea Are There?
Pho Nhi Tea is categorized into two main types:
Living Pho Nhi Tea
Processed through stages: picking tea leaves – roasting tea leaves – sun-drying tea leaves – compressing into cakes – storage.
The tea is dried using sunlight rather than heat, preserving some enzymes in the tea.
As a result, the flavor of living Pho Nhi Tea is unique and evolves over time.
Ripe Pho Nhi Tea
Introduced in 1974, this type uses modern techniques to expedite fermentation and storage, softening the musty aroma, making it suitable for newcomers to tea.
2. Uses of Pho Nhi Tea
Heart Health Protection
Drinking Pho Nhi Tea produces lovastatin, a compound known for treating high cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart-related diseases.
Cancer Prevention
The tea contains polyphenols that play a role in preventing and supporting cancer treatment. These compounds eliminate free radicals in the body, hindering the production of harmful cells.
Weight Loss Support
Pho Nhi Tea contains polyphenols and antioxidants that help eliminate body fat, support digestion, and inhibit the synthesis of fatty acids.
Cholesterol Reduction
Consuming Pho Nhi Tea increases bile acid levels, ensuring that fats are not absorbed into the blood. The connection between fat and bile acids in the diet is expelled through the stool.
3. Detailed Guide on How to Brew Pho Nhi Tea
Step 1: Rinse the teapot and tea cup, and cut the tea cake
When packaged, Pho Nhi Tea is molded into firm, round cakes. You need specialized tools like a tea pick to break off an appropriate amount for brewing, considering the moisture level.
Before brewing, rinse the tea set with boiling water for sterilization. Also, heat the tea utensils to ensure the tea retains its fresh flavor during brewing.
Brewing tea based on a ratio of 100ml water to 2 to 4 grams of tea or adjust according to your taste.
When removing the tea from the cake, pour it into the tea tray, minimizing direct contact with the tea to avoid altering its flavor.
Step 2: Rinse the Tea
Place the tea in the teapot and use boiling water to rinse it. The suitable temperature to preserve the tea's flavor is 90 degrees Celsius.
Avoid using water below 90 degrees or water that is too hot, as it may affect the tea's flavor.
During the rinsing process, pour a large stream of water into the teapot. Ensure even rinsing to submerge the tea completely in water, then gently shake the teapot and pour it out immediately to prevent the tea from absorbing water, leading to bitterness.
Step 3: Tea Steeping
This is the most crucial step that determines whether the tea will have a delightful aroma.
Steep the tea for only 30 seconds to 1 minute, ensuring the tea releases its delightful aroma with a pure flavor. Finally, pour the tea and enjoy.
Step 4: Pouring Tea
First, gently rotate the tea pot and pour the tea into the Tasting Cup, then continue pouring into the Serving Cups.
Note to pour tea in a sequence into the main cup before continuing into smaller cups to ensure the tea is evenly distributed, consistent in both color and flavor.
4. Best Practices for Properly Storing Pu-erh Tea
Pu-erh tea becomes more fragrant and develops a unique flavor over time, so it's crucial to store it correctly.
If you plan to consume the tea immediately, divide it into small pieces and store them in open paper bags.
For longer storage, remove the tea and place it in unglazed clay jars or enamel-free metal containers.
For extended preservation, store the tea in an airtight container that has been vacuum-sealed.
When storing, place the tea in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight. If the tea develops mold or an unpleasant odor, discard it. For tea with unusual odors, air it out in a cool place for a few days to effectively remove the odor.
5. Where to Buy Pu-erh Tea and Its Prices
You can easily find pu-erh tea in Chinese tea shops, specialty tea stores, online commercial outlets, or e-commerce websites.
The pricing of pu-erh tea varies more than other types of tea due to its world-famous status. On average, the cost of pu-erh tea ranges from 500,000 VND to 600,000 VND per 500g, depending on its aging (as of December 2021).
Here are answers to the questions about what pu-erh tea is, its benefits, and how to use it. Save this information for reference and application. Don't forget to follow Mytour for quick updates on the most useful information.
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