What is Pu erh Tea?

Pu erh Tea (pronounced as Poo-er) comes from the Camellia Sinensis plant, the same plant used to make Green Tea, Black Tea, Oolong Tea and White Tea. Although the same leaf is used, it goes through a different process. Green Tea is not fermented, Oolong Tea is partially fermented, while Black Tea is completely fermented and Pu erh Tea is referred to as post-fermented.

What does it Taste like?

This means that the processing of Pu erh Tea includes both fermentation and an ageing period under high humidity. Produced mainly in China's Yunnan Province, this ageing process ensures that the Tea leaf takes on a different flavour component than what you may expect of a Black Tea, with deep aromatic woody, earthy, chocolaty and leathery notes and a heavy character.

Why is Pu erh Tea healthy?

The post ageing process allows microorganisms with pro-biotic properties to form, which are known for helping aid weight loss and the digestive system. In Taiwan it is used as a medicine for Cholesterol, Read this article, Pu erh Tea Benefits.

The main micro-organisms active are; Aspergillus Niger and Aspergillus Glaucous which are common fungus' which can be found in nearly every environment, consisting of helpful bacteria and are considered to be pro-biotic.

Good for Lowering Cholesterol

This tea has also been found to contain a compound called 'Lovastatin', which can be used in medicine for to patients suffering from high cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart attack, angina and to slow blood vessel blockage. It is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, known as a 'Statin', which reduces the production of certain fatty substances in the body.

Packed with Antioxidants

In traditional Chinese medicine, Pu erh Tea is used for 'cleansing' the blood and aiding digestion due to the high amount of Antioxidants, which remove free radicals from our bodies. Free radicals can build up in our systems over time and cause damage to our cells, causing diseases and premature ageing.

Helps Aid Weight Loss

There have been lots of media reports that Victoria Beckham favours Pu erh Tea for its weight loss properties, but does it work?

Studies have shown thatit can significantly suppress fatty acid synthesis (FAS), meaning that it can help block your body from producing more fat, by stunting the process of lipogenesis- creation of fat by the liver. Caffeine within Pu erh Tea also helps your body to secrete the hormone epinephrine and norepinephrine which increases the mobilisation of fatty acids in fat cells, allowing your body to use fat stored within the body and use it as fuel.

For best effects, drink Oolong Tea before a meal and Pu erh Tea an hour after each meal to reduce the amount of fat that is absorbed.

We have a range of different flavours and types of Pu erh available from; Puerh Tea Cake, Tea Bricks, Pu erh Tea Loose Leaf Tea, Flavoured Scottish Caramel Toffee Pu erh Tea  and Pu erh Special 3 Year Old Vintage Tea .