Tea Review: Young Pu-erh (Metropolitan Tea Company)

Young Pu-erh
Metropolitan Tea Company
Type: Puerh
Origin: China, Yunnan Province
Product Description:  This tea is famed for its medicinal properties. The leaves come from the Yunnan Dayeh variety of tea tree - which is purported to be closely related to the original tea tree of pre-glacial times. During the 1200’s the troops of Kubla Khan are said to have introduced Pu-erh to the rest of China for its medicinal value. Pu-erh is often taken for relief of indigestion and dysentery but has also been reported very useful in the reduction of cholesterol. Kunming Medical College claims that pu-erh can lower cholesterol by 17 percent and triglycerides by 22 percent. They may have been slightly over zealous about the properties of pu-erh as a University in Berlin and another in France found that the claim was perhaps overstated. A study in Japan indicated that all tea lowered cholesterol and that pu-erh was more effective than green tea. Other followers of ‘Chinese tea for health’ report that pu-erh can; “cut the grease, help digestion, promote body fluid secretion, quench the thirst, invigorate the spleen and dispel alcoholic toxins” Whether pu-erh is effective or not for the various claims that researchers and tea drinkers make has not been firmly established; what is certain is that pu-erh is rather unusual and has properties many other teas do not share.

Temperature: 202° F
Amount: 2.5 grams
Steeping Time: 2 minutes

The dry leaves have a salty, smoky aroma.

The infusion is dark amber in color with a wet earth and light marine aroma.  The flavor is delicate and earthy.

As a young puerh, this tea has a light flavor that holds steady through multiple steepings.  While not complex, it does leave a warm, clean feel and won't overwhelm your palate.

This was tea was provided as part of a workshop.