How to Drink Puer Tea

Drinking Pu’er tea (普洱茶) is a delightful and cultural experience, especially in Yunnan where it originates. Here’s a guide on how to enjoy Pu’er tea:

Brewing Pu’er Tea

  1. Selecting Tea: Pu’er tea comes in two main types: raw (sheng) and ripe (shou). Raw Pu’er is aged naturally, while ripe Pu’er undergoes an accelerated fermentation process. Choose the type based on your preference for flavor and strength.
  2. Preparing Tea Leaves:
    • Quantity: Use about 5-7 grams of Pu’er tea leaves for a standard 150ml teapot or gaiwan.
    • Rinsing: Rinse the tea leaves briefly with hot water to awaken their flavors and remove any impurities. Discard this rinse.
  3. Brewing Process:
    • Water Temperature: For raw Pu’er, use water just below boiling (around 90°C). For ripe Pu’er, water at boiling temperature (100°C) is suitable.
    • Steeping Time: Brew raw Pu’er for short initial steeps (10-20 seconds), gradually increasing steeping time with subsequent infusions. Ripe Pu’er can be steeped longer (30-60 seconds for the first infusion).
    • Infusions: Pu’er tea leaves can be steeped multiple times (up to 10 or more) as they unfold and release different flavors with each infusion.
  4. Teaware: Traditional Yixing clay teapots or porcelain gaiwans are ideal for brewing Pu’er tea. They allow you to appreciate the tea’s aroma and flavor nuances.

Serving Pu’er Tea

  1. Pouring: Pour the brewed tea into small cups or tasting cups. This practice allows you to appreciate the color, aroma, and clarity of the tea.
  2. Enjoying: Sip the tea slowly to savor its complex flavors. Note the initial notes, body, and aftertaste that evolve with each steeping.
  3. Pairing: Pu’er tea pairs well with dim sum, pastries, or light snacks. Its earthy and sometimes fruity flavors complement a variety of foods.

Storing Pu’er Tea

  1. Storage Conditions: Pu’er tea improves with age when stored properly. Keep it away from strong odors, moisture, and direct sunlight. Traditional storage methods involve storing it in bamboo baskets or in a cool, dry place with controlled humidity.
  2. Aging: Some tea connoisseurs age Pu’er tea for several years to develop deeper and richer flavors.

Cultural Notes

  • Gongfu Cha: Brewing Pu’er tea using the Gongfu Cha method emphasizes precise brewing times and multiple infusions to extract the full range of flavors from the leaves.
  • Social Aspect: Drinking Pu’er tea is often a social activity, where friends and family gather to enjoy tea and conversation, making it an integral part of Yunnan’s cultural heritage.

By following these steps, you can fully appreciate the richness and complexity of Pu’er tea, immersing yourself in its flavors and cultural significance.