If you're a fan of Chinese teas, you're likely familiar with Pu-erh, a tea native to Yunnan province. Brewed as an infusion, this variety comes in several distinct forms: loose-leaf, compressed into flat cakes, or shaped into nests known as TuoCha. Here's what you need to know about the different styles of Pu-erh tea.
The TuoCha: a time-honoured tradition
TuoCha is one of the best-known forms of Pu-erh tea. It's sometimes mistaken for a variety in its own right, but it's simply a presentation style. The production process remains the same regardless of the final shape.
According to tradition, Pu-erh tea comes from wild trees growing in the mountains of Yunnan province, China. The large tea leaves are harvested, spread out to dry in the sun, then moistened and stored in a warm room. This triggers the fermentation process that is characteristic of Pu-erh tea. Finally, the leaves go through another drying phase before being sorted and compressed into nest-like shapes.
To achieve this form, the leaves are pressed in bamboo moulds shaped like small bowls. When Pu-erh tea is sold as TuoCha, it is typically packaged in small quantities, usually ranging from 100 to 500 grams.
Pu-erh tea in compressed cake form
Compressed cakes are another widely used presentation for Pu-erh tea. The production is similar to that of TuoCha. Here too, producers select leaves from wild tea trees growing naturally in Yunnan province. Pu-erh actually holds a protected geographical indication, certifying that it comes exclusively from trees grown in this region. The production steps are always the same: harvest, sun-drying to encourage oxidation, then fermentation.
The tea is then compressed into cakes that vary in size and weight. Most commonly, you'll find Pu-erh cakes weighing 357 grams (sometimes 400 or 500 grams). Originally, compression was used to make storage and transport of this post-fermented tea easier. It also helps the tea keep longer, which is a real advantage given that Pu-erh is known to improve with age.
Wondering how to break into a cake to brew your infusions? You'll need a few simple tools to help you keep your Pu-erh tea in good condition. A knife or a pu-erh pick, specially designed to separate the leaves without damaging them, works perfectly.
Yunnan tea sold loose-leaf
Like other teas, Pu-erh is also available loose-leaf. This changes nothing about its production method, character, or qualities. The leaves are simply not compressed after sorting. This form is more common in Western markets, and you'll find it in a range of package sizes. Do keep in mind that loose-leaf post-fermented tea ages more quickly than compressed cakes or nests, and is therefore slightly less easy to store over time.
Whichever form you choose, a cup of Pu-erh tea is always a pleasure, with its distinctive, earthy, woody notes.
Explore our range of organic Pu-erh tea from Yunnan: raw sheng, ripe shou, cakes, bricks and mini tuo cha. Direct sourcing, certified organic farming.