Get the Most Out of Your Pu Erh Tea by Knowing Its Basics

Do you find yourself with a racing heart after drinking coffee?! Do you suspect that coffee makes you more anxious during the day?! If so, it’s time for you to consider a better alternative and switch to something milder and more health-beneficial, such as tea.

Tea is the second most popular hot beverage among people around the world, not only for its lower caffeine content, but also for its high antioxidant content. For many years, pu-erh tea has been a popular choice among people. This is one of those teas that contains a lot of health-beneficial things that are good for the heart, mind and body. But what exactly is this tea?! What sets it apart from the rest?!

Puerh Tea

Well, for starters, unlike oxidised teas, this one is a fermented tea that undergoes a post-fermentation process after drying and rolling. This additional fermentation gives its deep and earthy flavour and dark colour. But being fermented also makes it a more valuable type, just like wine. The older it is, the better it’ll taste.

Usually, this tea comes in loose leaf form or compressed into bricks, and in order to be considered a pure Pu’er tea, the tea leaves must be grown in Yunnan Province. While its taste is undeniably unique and deep, this delicious and flavourful pu erh tea has become popular in Australia and the rest of the world mainly because of its health benefits.

Benefits

Increased Energy

When compared to coffee, this tea contains less caffeine than coffee itself, but this doesn’t mean that it won’t increase your energy levels. The truth is that drinking at least one cup of this tea per day may increase energy levels and focus, just like drinking coffee. Containing less caffeine is perfect for those who find themselves dizzy and not good after drinking coffee. On the other hand, the caffeine content in this tea is enough to improve your mental focus and give you the needed energy to get you through the day.

Reduced Toxins and Free Radicals

Thanks to its oxidative properties, this hot beverage may deliver increased levels of oxygen, which results in enhanced circulation and blood flow. By delivering more oxygen to the brain, pu-erh-tea might be able to reduce headaches and migraines, as well as the free radicals responsible for the development of some serious illnesses.

Promotes a Healthy Heart

It’s believed that drinking one cup of pu-erh per day may lower the risk of heart disease. Naturally producing lovastatin (a statin commonly used to treat high cholesterol) means that this delicious and soothing beverage may prevent heart disease, which is just another important reason that you might obtain from this tea.

May Promote Weight Loss

Given the fact that this beverage is also related to improved digestion and reduced symptoms of constipation because of the lovastatin content, it’s believed that it may also promote weight loss. It’s believed that the antioxidants and polyphenols content aid in digestion and fat breakdown. 

When combined with a healthy diet and exercise, the chances that you’ll lose that stubborn fat and weight are greater. Since this tea encourages the body to produce the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine, it can work in supporting your body to reduce stored fatty acids.

Is Pu-Erh Tea High in Caffeine?

The caffeine in this tea ranges somewhere between 30 and 100mg per cup, and while this tea contains lower levels of caffeine than coffee, it’s still believed to have higher levels in comparison to some other teas. It’s said that pu erh tea contains similar caffeine levels to black tea, which is considered a great substitute for coffee.

Reduced Stress

Even though it contains caffeine (which is often related to increased stress), the truth is that this tea may aid to experiencing less stress. And, that’s all due to its phyto-chemicals – GABA and theanine content. GABA increases the production of melatonin, which can promote better sleep and better mood and energy throughout the day. Last but not least, this tea is also linked to reduced inflammation in the body and the promotion of a feeling of relaxation.

What Is the Difference Between Black Tea and Puerh Tea?

While their caffeine content is similar and they can be used as a great substitute for coffee, the truth is that these teas are completely different. Black tea is a fully oxidised type of tea, which isn’t the case with Pu-erh. The latter is fermented and undergoes ageing, which contributes to that unique taste. 

The taste of black tea is malty and brisk, while the taste of Puerh is deep, earthy and rich, something like wet wood and dark chocolate. But if you take into account the fact that Puerh tea contains compounds that may reduce stress and anxiety while promoting good heart and overall health, then choosing it as a caffeine substitute is way better than black tea.