Pu'er tea can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, either plain or mixed. Its tea liquor is Orange-yellow and thick, with a captivating aroma and rich flavor that persists even after five or six infusions. How to Drink Pu'er tea better? Here are some methods for drinking Pu'er tea.
How to Drink Pu'er Tea Better?
1. Avoid drinking on an empty stomach. Pu'er tea contains a large amount of caffeine and theophylline. Drinking it on an empty stomach can easily lead to “tea drunkenness,” causing symptoms such as gastrointestinal discomfort, weakness in limbs, and mental disorientation. Therefore, avoid drinking Pu'er tea on an empty stomach, especially strong tea. In the morning, drinking light salt water or honey water on an empty stomach is a more reasonable way to lose weight and cleanse the intestines.
2. Drink less new Pu'er tea. New Pu'er tea has undergone a shorter post-fermentation period and contains higher levels of caffeine and active alkaloids, which can easily stimulate the nervous system and the gastrointestinal mucosa. Therefore, try to drink less new Pu'er tea; occasional tasting is fine. Newly purchased Pu'er tea should ideally be stored at home for two to three months. This not only improves its taste and flavor but also minimizes its impact on the body.
3. Avoid drinking large amounts before and after meals. Do not drink large quantities of Pu'er tea before or after meals. Tannic acid and theophylline in tea can affect the digestive system. The best time to drink tea is at least half an hour before or after meals, and it's best to drink lighter teas rather than stronger ones. This is the healthiest way to drink tea.
4. Avoid drinking fresh raw tea before bed. After 9 p.m., avoid drinking Pu'er tea, as it may cause restlessness and affect sleep; it can also increase the burden on the kidneys and lead to unsightly eye bags.
5. Avoid drinking during special periods. Raw Pu'er tea has a cooler nature, so women should drink less of it during “menstrual, pregnancy, and lactation” periods, as well as when taking medication.
Methods of Drinking Pu'er Tea
Generally, you can drink Pu'er tea one hour before or after meals. After 6 p.m., it's recommended to drink ripe tea, as drinking too much raw tea can cause insomnia. When brewing Pu'er tea, first consider whether it's a new or aged tea and its tenderness level.
New teas should be brewed using water at around 95°C. If the tea consists mostly of tender buds, you can lower the temperature to 85°C to 92°C. For aged teas or ripe teas, use boiling water (100°C) to fully extract their aroma and flavor.
Take an appropriate amount of Pu'er tea and heat water to 90°C to 100°C. First, warm the gaiwan (or teapot) and then discard the water. Add the right amount of Pu'er tea to the gaiwan (or teapot), with a general ratio of 1:20 to 1:30 for tea to water. Pour in the water, cover, and after 20 seconds, pour out the tea liquor. This is the first infusion to awaken the tea. Discard the tea liquor from the awakening infusion and then smell the cup. For the second infusion, cover after adding water and pour out the tea liquor after about 10 seconds, then serve. For the third infusion, do not cover the gaiwan and pour out the tea liquor faster. Adjust the Steeping time for subsequent infusions based on the strength of the previous infusion.
Although Pu'er tea has many benefits, drinking it correctly is essential to maximize these benefits and make them more noticeable. To ensure a purer tea aroma, warm the tea by discarding the first infusion of boiling water. This process can be repeated one to two times, but it should be done quickly to avoid affecting the taste of the tea liquor.
Methods of Brewing Pu'er Tea
1. Gongfu Tea Dry Brewing Method, where all the tea liquor is poured out after each infusion, leaving no tea root behind. This is the most commonly used method among Pu'er tea enthusiasts.
2. Gaiwan Brewing Method, where the tea is brewed in a gaiwan and served in a purple clay pot as a fair pitcher.
3. Leaving-the-Roots Method, where after washing the tea, some of the infused tea liquor is left in the teapot instead of pouring it all out. This method is suitable for high-quality Pu'er teas.
4. Adjustment Method, where teas with slight impurities but good quality can be treated with high temperatures for the initial wash and first few infusions, followed by a significant decrease in temperature and longer steeping times. For new teas with excellent quality but lacking in aroma and color, the initial wash can be performed with high temperatures and a slightly longer steeping time, while subsequent infusions can be done at high temperatures with a faster pace.
5. Boiling Method, where Pu'er tea is directly boiled.
For those who are new to drinking Pu'er tea, it is recommended to start with ripe tea because of its smooth and mellow flavor, making it easier to accept. Raw tea, on the other hand, has a stronger flavor and a wilder character, and it is suggested to store it for aging. This not only increases its value but also allows it to slowly ferment and develop a more refined flavor over time.