| sample |
$3 |
 |
| makes 10 cups |
| 4oz BAG |
$10 |
 |
| 20¢ per cup |
| 16oz BAG |
$29 |
 |
| 15¢ per cup |
| teabags |
$8 |
 |
| 15 teabags |
Description
Black tea from the Yunnan region of China. Pu Erh tea, perhaps the most esoteric of Chinese varieties, has a pronounced earthy aroma and taste. It is very popular in China due to its notoriety as a slimming diet tea. Recent studies seem to support this claim, but attribute this property to all teas. We suggest trying a sample before committing to larger quantities. The earthy taste is not subtle. Chances are, you'll either love it or hate it.
Story
Pu Erh tea gets its name from a small town located in southern Yunnan. Tea had been cultivated in this part of China for about four thousand years. Its popularity owes much to the many trade routes that flowed through this region. With popularity came royal inquiry. And so, Pu Erh teas have been offered in tribute to many a generation of Chinese emperors. It is among the few teas that improves with age. Similar to wine, one may find very expensive Pu Erhs that are decades old. "Slimming" is one of the properties the locals attribute to it. Recent studies seem to show there is some validity to this reputation. This tea's unique fermentation process imparts it with some cholesterol-fighting powers.
"This has an odd "fishy" flavor. Although I can see it appealing to certain tastes, it probably is not going to universily liked."
"Forms an extremely dark, almost opaque liquor, brown with a tinge of red. The smell is, as expected, dominated by the distinctive character of dirt or mud, along with a faint but clear rotting-fish note. The flavor is salty-sweet with the same notes of dirt and fish, which linger without much astringency.
I know that all sounds terrible, but really, this isn't bad; the complex array of flavors blends intriguingly, and the mouthfeel is creamy -- indeed, succulent -- forming a cup that's hearty and satisfying, if a bit odd."
"Unless a tea was absolutely undrinkably bad, I wouldn't rate it as bad, but this tea is not for me. A pronounced prebrewing scent of dirt and a brewed flavor that reminds me of a forest floor. Its interesting, its been a conversation piece and I have a cup now and then for the experience, but neither an everyday tea nor a favorite."
"Wow--this is definitely not for me. This tea has a very noticeable fishy/crustacean flavor and odor when brewed. I'm glad I got the sample size!"
"To put it succinctly, it tastes like a handful of damp leaves off the ground in the woods. That's not to say it's horrible...I am occasionally in the mood for it. But only occasionally, and only if I have something to eat with it."
"Pu erh is not for everybody. Think of it as the Guiness of teas. An aquired taste, it can be a rich and wonderful treat at the end of a long day. If you want to develop a taste for this very bold tea, try mixing it first with another black, or even a cream/vanilla variety. "
Recommendations
Tea Recipes (containing Pu Erh Dante tea)