Facts & FAQ
MOST POPULAR QUESTIONS
Dosage and how to brew Pu-Erh?
Most people can safely drink up to 3 cups (710 mL) of pu-erh tea per day, unless they’re also consuming large quantities of other caffeinated beverages.
Research is lacking on how much pu-erh tea you should drink daily to experience its potential weight loss benefits, but 1–2 cups (240–480 mL) per day is a good starting point.
How to brew pu-erh tea?
What you need
-
pu-erh tea — a single cake or 3–4 grams of loose leaf tea per cup you plan to make
-
boiling water
-
a teapot with a strainer
-
teacups or mugs
-
optional extras like cream, milk, or sweetener
Steps
-
Place the pu-erh tea cake or loose leaves in the teapot and add just enough boiling water to cover the leaves, then discard the water. Repeat this step once more, being sure to discard the water. This “rinse” helps ensure a high quality tea.
-
Fill the teapot with boiling water and allow the tea to steep for 2 minutes. Based on your taste preferences, you can steep for a longer or shorter period.
-
Pour the tea into teacups and add extras as desired.
Side effects and precautions
Most of the side effects of pu-erh tea come from its caffeine content. Depending on the strength of the brew, pu-erh tea can contain 30–100 mg of caffeine per cup.
Most people can tolerate up to 400 mg of caffeine daily, but some of the side effects of excessive caffeine can include:
-
insomnia
-
dizziness
-
shaking
-
changes to your heart’s rhythm
-
dehydration
-
diarrhea or excessive urination
Because fermented foods may affect your gut bacteria concentrations, pu-erh tea may also affect your digestion and potentially cause some digestive upset.
Storage and handling
Pu-erh tea is a fermented product that continues to improve in quality as it ages, so — if properly stored — it lasts nearly indefinitely.
Keep pu-erh tea cakes in an airtight container in a cool, dark place like your pantry.
If it looks or smells off, or there’s visible mold growing on it, you should throw it out.
Other Questions
What does pu-erh tea taste like?
Due to the fermentation process, pu-erh tea has a unique pungent or “funky” taste, but this is mixed with other flavors — such as sweetness, bitterness, and earthiness.
Pu-erh teas with other ingredients will have different flavors. Additionally, the taste changes as the tea continues to age.
What is raw pu-erh tea?
There are two main varieties of pu-erh tea — ripe and raw.
Ripe pu-erh tea is the least expensive variety. This tea is made by fermenting the loose leaves for several months and then pressing them into shape .
Raw pu-erh tea is more expensive. To make raw pu-erh, the steps to make ripe pu-erh are reversed. The fresh tea leaves are pressed first, and then fermented — usually for years.
What are some popular pu-erh tea flavors?
Pu-erh is a popular tea choice and often infused with other flavors. Popular blends include chocolate pu-erh tea — which contains cocoa powder — and chrysanthemum pu-erh, which contains the dried petals of the chrysanthemum flower.
These additions can make pu-erh tea taste much better, as it has a unique taste that not everyone likes.
How many calories are in pu-erh tea?
Brewed teas — including pu-erh — are naturally calorie-free or extremely low in calories. However, adding sugar or cream will increase the calorie content of your tea.