Rating of the best varieties of Pu-erh tea for 2024

In the homeland of tea, in China, it is drunk daily and hourly. It is considered the most prestigious, very tasty drink with a tart flavor. The Chinese have long preferred "ready-made" tea called Shu Puer. This type is expensive due to the long fermentation process. Often these varieties are compared with aged wine, the longer it is stored, the higher the taste of the drink. When the fragrant broth began to spread throughout the world, the need for its manufacture grew rapidly. Then the producers found a way out and began to produce a different type of tea, which they named Sheng Puer, meaning "raw". The faster fermentation process of this species greatly reduced the harvest time, increased the amount of goods sent to consumer markets..

Grading the quality of Pu'er teas

In China, it is customary to classify all types of Pu'er teas on a scale that includes numbers from 1 to 10. The closer the type of raw material is to the beginning of the gradation, the higher quality and elite tea is. The numbers 7-10 are the lowest quality species. According to this distribution, the price of the product is calculated, which is generally very high. Even low-quality varieties are quite expensive.

Shu Puer Technological Process

Its representative is black tea. To prepare raw materials of this type, tea leaves are harvested at certain times of the year, piled in heaps, and then the fermentation process is started under the influence of heat. This procedure, called wet stacking, was adopted by the Chinese only 40 years ago. After the completion of the process, the leaves are naturally dried and packaged. Besides loose tea, it is shaped by pressing. Due to such a long technological process, the cost of Shu Puer is very high, but the advantage of such tea is that it can be brewed repeatedly without losing its taste. In just a few decades, this variety has gained immense popularity among gourmets, thanks to its excellent useful and tonic properties. The main distinctive flavors as well as the aftertaste of the finished tea are:

• smoke,
• dried fruits,
• chocolate,
• wood,
• nut.

The taste of black Shu Puer is deep, soft, with a velvety aromatic aftertaste.

Fermentation Sheng Puer

The process of harvesting "raw" tea is similar to the "ready" one, but the difference is that the leaves are immediately packed in small portions into fabric bags, pressed, and forcedly dried in specialized ovens.This stage is carried out over several days, which provides the variety with a more affordable cost. This tea is supplied to consumers in the form of compressed tablets or cubes.

Sheng Puer is dominated by notes of flowers, meadow grasses, it is less saturated, but this does not detract from its tonic, positive effect on the human body. Unlike the fast-acting caffeine-containing coffee, the effect of properly brewed “raw” tea is slower and more effective. To understand the excellent taste, to feel the delicate aroma of this species, experts advise learning how to properly prepare a fragrant broth. Then it will not be too bitter, and the aftertaste will remain pleasantly sweet.

White Puer

A separate category is white Pu-erh tea. In its composition, the majority is occupied by tips. These are unblown buds of tea leaves, collected specifically for this variety. Some varieties of this drink consist only of kidneys, and therefore have a high price. The taste of such a broth is very delicate with a pleasant light aroma, light in color when brewed, but in its energetic and tonic properties it is not at all inferior to its darker varieties. In order for the prepared tea to bring truly great sensations and pleasant pastime, Chinese gourmets strongly advise to follow the rules of the tea ceremony.

Rating of the best varieties of "ready-made" tea for 2024

Teas of this type are considered the most ancient, unique in their useful properties for humans. No wonder connoisseurs call it a cure for a hundred diseases. Correctly prepared, unhurriedly consumed ready-made tea will nourish the body with energy, support the immune system, restore good health, and tune in to positive emotions.

Royal

This species is considered the oldest and most valuable Shu Puer variety. The name itself testifies to this. Royal tea became a favorite among nobles and emperors. To prepare raw materials, producers collect only old leaves. They may also include tips. A brewed drink made from such raw materials has a rather specific taste, it is richer, thicker, so only real gourmets can appreciate it. A distinctive feature of this variety is the impossibility of making two cups of the same tea, as it constantly changes its flavor shades and presents new aromatic notes.

• the possibility of reusable brewing;
• exquisite taste for gourmets;
• the value of the drink for the human body.

• specific taste;
• difficulties in acquiring;
• high price.

"Sun of the East"

This is a representative of the classic Shu Puer. It is produced in the form of pressed pancakes, which are of a very young age. Such packaging of raw materials is very convenient to use and transport. The color of the brewed tea is very dark, almost black with a gilded tint. On the palate, woody notes are clearly audible, a rich dense structure of the drink is observed. After a few sips, you can feel its energetic effect on the body. Drinking it on an empty stomach has a preventive, curative effect on the internal organs of a person:

• cleanse blood vessels and liver;
• breaks down fats, promoting weight loss;
• reduces the amount of cholesterol;
• strengthens the immune system.

Manufacturers recommend to protect "Sun of the East" from contact with humid air, store in a hermetically sealed container in a dark place inaccessible to sunlight.

• excellent taste;
• the possibility of taking on an empty stomach;
• usefulness for the body;
• ease of use.

• high price;
• is not always the case in retail.

"Cheerfulness"

This is a representative of wild "ready-made" Shu Puer tea. The raw materials collected on wild-growing tea plantations have a unique, distinctive, stable and rich woody aroma, bright and thick taste.This variety is the strongest of the entire list of black teas. It shows its qualities perfectly when taken on an empty stomach. This drink is wonderful:

• has an invigorating, tonic effect;
• helps to cleanse the digestive system;
• has a beneficial effect on the body with a severe hangover.

This kind of tea should be stored in a tightly closed package or sealed container in a place where the sun's rays do not penetrate.

• excellent taste;
• the ability to brew several times;
• effective action on a person.

• with improper brewing, a strong astringency occurs in the taste;
• not always available on trading floors;
• expensive.

"Wisdom of the Ages"

Based on the name of this variety, its roots go back to ancient times. The tea leaves are collected by hand from the oldest trees. The age-old tradition of procurement of raw materials preserves the wisdom of the times and the natural beauty of their homeland. The distinctive aroma of prunes distinguishes "Wisdom of Ages" from its counterparts. The tea has a thick, dense, tart flavor. According to the Chinese, this drink gives people youth, strengthens their body and spirit, tunes in to creative thoughts, good deeds.

• great taste sensations;
• replenishes immunity;
• has a tonic, invigorating effect;
• long shelf life.

• high price;
• not always on sale.

"The Power of the Red Dragon"

This grade of ready-made tea belongs to the premium class and is its most striking representative. Its value lies in the composition, which includes a large number of tips (unblown buds). The presence of such ingredients makes the drink more refined and unique. At the same time, a sophisticated, rich dark color with an amber hue has a pleasant woody aroma and a bright aftertaste. The fermentation process of raw materials for such tea takes 35 years. During this time, tea leaves get old, accumulate a large number of useful properties, which are then gladly saturate tea lovers. Already from the first sips, the human body is filled with life-giving vitality, fatigue, irritability go away, blood circulation improves, immunity is strengthened. The accumulated vitamins and microelements will perfectly cope with vitamin deficiency, help to acquire strength and elasticity in blood vessels. Like all other varieties, the "Power of the Red Dragon" should be protected from sunlight and moisture.

• wonderful taste sensations;
• beneficial effects on the human body;
• restoration of vitality.

• often not on sale;
• high cost of the product.

"Treasure of the Celestial Empire"

Another name for this elite tea is Palace tea, which is a favorite infusion of the Chinese emperor. This variety is considered one of the mildest drinks. Its fermentation time is 15 years. The drink made from selected leaves collected from perennial trees has both a rich dark color and a very delicate taste with a soft, pleasant aroma. When used for a long time and in large portions, it can cause tea intoxication, therefore it is recommended to monitor the amount and frequency of use of the "Treasures of the Celestial Empire". Drinking several cups of tea a day has a wonderful tonic effect on the human body.

• great taste sensations;
• excellent tonic effect.

• excessive consumption can lead to tea intoxication;
• high cost of raw materials;
• not always available on trading floors.

"Gentle hugs"

Tea with this name is a representative of the milk drink. This is due to the addition of a natural flavoring agent in the form of whey. Its rich dark brown color and deep taste with a distinct woody aftertaste are paired with light notes of milk aroma.Tea "Gentle hugs" is rightfully considered a panacea for many diseases. It is recommended to be consumed after meals, as a dessert drink, as it promotes better digestion. Novice connoisseurs of Shu Puer products will appreciate such a gift.

• exquisite taste, pleasant aroma;
• beneficial effect on the human body.

• high product cost.

List of the best raw teas for 2024

Due to the much shorter fermentation time of tea leaves, Sheng Puer teas are more readily available to ordinary consumers. They have a pleasant and light floral scent.

"Moon of the East"

This is a representative of young, unfermented green tea. The drink has a light color with a greenish-golden hue, a subtle, but at the same time, pronounced aroma of meadow flowers, a tart taste with a slight bitterness and a sweet aftertaste. The manufacturer produces it in the form of pressed "pancakes", which ensures ease of use. Like many green teas in China, Sheng Puer "Moon of the East" perfectly cleanses the human body from toxins and toxins, thereby helping to reduce excess weight. It has a wonderful tonic and thirst-quenching effect, eliminates hangover syndrome. It can be used both hot and chilled. But experts warn lovers of such a drink against consuming too much, as tea intoxication may occur.

• exquisite taste sensations;
• positive healing effect on the body;
• ease of use;
• long shelf life.

• high price;
• excessive consumption can lead to tea intoxication;
• not always available on trading floors.

"Cosmic Energy"

This tea is a favorite among its brethren in the market. The fermentation process takes place in natural conditions and in its degree, as well as taste sensations, is comparable to 25 years of aging. A beautiful golden-greenish color is pleasing to the eye, and a tart floral-woody taste with a sweetish aftertaste envelops the coniferous aroma. Such a drink is truly intoxicating with its magnificence. It is Sheng Puer "Cosmic Energy" that the Chinese consider anti-stress tea. It really has a great energy supply to the human body. Therefore, it is recommended to use it in the early morning before eating. The broth copes well with a depressive mood, fills the internal organs with vitality, eliminates fatigue throughout the working day, helps digestion, and helps to strengthen the immune system. It is necessary to store such tea away from sunlight in a hermetically sealed container.

• excellent taste;
• powerful energy effect;
• usefulness for the body;
• long shelf life.

• high price;
• overuse can lead to intoxication;
• difficulties in acquiring.

"The first ray of the sun"

This variety represents white tea. The composition includes only young leaves and unblown buds collected from selected tea plantations. Delightful aroma of meadow flowers, amber color and bright taste of honey and conifers envelop you with a magical sense of tranquility and beauty. Possessing an excellent invigorating effect, such a fragrant drink will warm in winter cold days and perfectly tones up in summer heat, supplement the body with vitamins B1 and C. It will bring great benefits to people with circulatory problems, especially in the lower extremities. It will also help the digestive system and strengthen the walls of the blood vessels.

• refined taste;
• restorative effect;
• long shelf life.

• expensive product;
• recurring purchase problems.

Puer resin

Another type of concentrated type of tea is gum made from tea leaves. The Chinese compare its production to art.The raw materials collected on wild plantations, carefully placed in special metal cauldrons and sprinkled with spring water, languish over low heat for 24 hours. The temperature regime of such production is observed very strictly in order to preserve the original nutrients in the product. After evaporation of the liquid, a thick substance in the form of a resin remains, which is subsequently poured into molds for solidification. From every 100 gr. raw material comes out only one granule weighing 1 g. On the consumer market, there are about two dozen varieties of such concentrate with a high content of invigorating and tonic effect. The most elite of all is The Emperor's Secret. This resin can be used as a stand-alone product or added to an already brewed tea to enhance the invigorating effect.

Although Pu-erh teas have entered the world markets quite recently, they quickly gained popularity among connoisseurs of this drink. Moreover, the life expectancy of the Chinese and their level of health are reinforcement of their beneficial properties and a positive effect on human organisms. A good example is much better than any advertisement. Even the high cost of such products cannot make the gourmet refuse to buy their favorite ready-made or raw Pu-erh tea. By purchasing a small part of this product, those who wish can enjoy the truly magical taste of China's elite teas more than once.