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![]() ![]() ![]() Pu-erh
Tea
Article - Black Pu-erh Tea
(2)
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Black
as Sin! In recent years an unfortunate series of incidents
have created much negativity to be associated with black Pu-erh
tea. Coinciding with the Pu-erh tea boom, an increasing number of
dishonest merchants have taken advantage of novice tea drinkers
by trading young black Pu-erh tea as 30+ year old aged green Pu-erh.
This has caused much resentment and a misunderstanding that comes
from viewing black Pu-erh as a fake tea. |
Both green and black Pu-erh tea use the same leaf
material and have similiar steps during production. The significant difference
is a chinese fermentation process known as "Wo Dui" that is
similar to composting. Relying on strictly controlled temperatures and
high humidity the natural structure of young tea leaves are broken down
to remove unwanted flavors of bitterness and other harsh and raw elements.
The end product is a smooth and mellow brew that has become the hallmark
of black Pu-erh tea.
It is no secret that black Pu-erh was invented
to resemble aged green Pu-erh tea. While this has been achieved to an
extent, the 2 types of Pu-erh tea have obvious differences. Even at
a young age, black Pu-erh will generally brew smooth and sweet all the
way through. Young green Pu-erh is often dominated by bitter tannins
with harsh elements from the young leaves. During ageing black Pu-erh
will try to retain most of it's core characteristics. General improvements
are made in clarity, sweetness, smoothness while discarding musky flavors
imparted during it's heavy fermentation under production. In contrast
extensive changes occur during the ageing of green Pu-erh. The emergence
of new complex flavors and aromas often make aged green Pu-erh tea almost
unrecognizable from it's younger version.
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"The
enticing sweet and silky smoothness of a high quality aged black
Pu-erh is unmatched by any tea", PuerhCha |
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