black teas
Organic Pu-erh Tuo Cha Black Tea (or Pu-Er Tuocha)
Pu-erh tea is perhaps the most mysterious of Chinese tea varieties, with a pronounced earthy aroma and taste. It is very popular in China due to its notoriety as a slimming tea that dampens the appetite and enhances the metabolism. Recent studies seem to support this claim. This tea's unique fermentation process also imparts the tea with some cholesterol-fighting benefits.
It is among the few teas that improves with age. Similar to wine, one may find very expensive Pu-erh teas that are decades old. Nonetheless, the earthy taste is not subtle and it is a tea best tried once before buying in quantity.
This classic style compressed Pu-erh tea birds nest shape disc (or "tuo cha") is sized for an 8oz infuser mug or small teapot. Hand-harvested from the antique tea trees of Jingmai Mangjing, our Pu-erh Mini-Tuo Cha is a deep, rich, full-bodied and smooth flavored infusion with gentle spicy notes rarely found in this type of tea. Each Tuo Cha weighs 5–6 grams.
WHAT DO THE FRENCH KNOW? The French are not prolific tea drinkers, yet according to some observers Pu-erh Tuo Cha is incredibly popular, making up almost 25% of all of the tea drunk in France. In China the tea is usually drunk with meals or right after a meal as the digestive properties of the tea are known to help eliminate cholesterol. It's ability to help cleanse the arties of plaque pair well with culinary traditions in France and the Pu-erh drinking habits of China appear to have successfully made their way to France.
HOW TO PREPARE THE TEA: Heat water to a boil, 212˚F, and add one tuo cha per cup (apprx. 8 ounces). Infuse for 3–4 minutes depending on taste preference as the leaves expand from disc shape. Can be infused 2-3 times. Usually drunk plain, may be slightly sweetened if desired.
INGREDIENTS: Organic pu-erh tea from Yunnan, China.
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