Pu-erh Tea Collection

Discovering the complex, fascinating world of China's most unique tea

My Journey with Pu-erh Tea

When I first tasted Pu-erh tea years ago, I'll be honest - I wasn't sure what to make of it. The earthy, deep flavour was so different from the bright greens and aromatic oolongs I was used to. But there was something compelling about its complexity that kept drawing me back. Over time, I've come to appreciate how Pu-erh offers something truly unique in the tea world.

What makes Pu-erh special is its fermentation process. Unlike other teas, Pu-erh undergoes microbial fermentation that creates beneficial bacteria and transforms the tea's character completely. This results in two distinct types: Raw Pu-erh (Sheng), which ages naturally over years, and Ripe Pu-erh (Shou), which undergoes accelerated fermentation to develop that distinctive smooth, earthy character.

In my experience, Pu-erh is forgiving and rewarding. Each infusion reveals new layers, and you can steep these teas multiple times throughout the day. I've found that many of our customers who initially find Pu-erh challenging end up becoming devoted fans once they understand how to brew it properly.

Our Pu-erh Selection

I've chosen these Pu-erh teas based on my years of tasting and customer feedback. Each one represents something different - from approachable blends for newcomers to traditional expressions for those ready to explore deeper.

Gentle Introduction: Blended Pu-erh

Tasmanian Lavender Puerh This is where I often suggest people start their Pu-erh journey. I created this blend combining smooth ripe Pu-erh nuggets from Menghai with locally grown Tasmanian lavender. The lavender doesn't overpower - instead, it softens the earthiness and adds a gentle floral sweetness that makes the tea more approachable. What I love about this blend is how the lavender's natural calming properties complement Pu-erh's digestive benefits.

Taste: Floral, sweet, calming and digestive. Caffeine: Low Best for: Evening relaxation, introducing yourself to Pu-erh

Raw Pu-erh (Sheng) - The Bright and Complex

Raw Pu-erh Ball These individually compressed balls from Yiwu make Gongfu brewing simple - one ball per session, no guessing about portions. I particularly chose this 2021 autumn harvest because it shows the bright, floral character that raw Pu-erh is known for, with lovely notes of cane sugar sweetness. Each 6-6.5g ball unfolds beautifully through multiple infusions, evolving from bright and floral to deeper, more complex flavours.

Taste: Floral with cane sugar sweetness. Caffeine: High Best for: Afternoon tea sessions, learning Gongfu brewing

Raw Pu-erh Ancient Single Tree This is our premium raw Pu-erh, and it's something special. Sourced from ancient tea trees in Xigui that have grown undisturbed for centuries, this tea connects you to something timeless. I'm drawn to its uplifting character - there's citrus brightness upfront, followed by a sweet aftertaste that lingers beautifully. These ancient trees produce leaves with incredible complexity that reveals itself differently with each steeping.

Taste: Citrus notes, uplifting, sweet aftertaste. Caffeine: High. Best for: Mindful tea sessions, experiencing premium Pu-erh

Ripe Pu-erh (Shou) - The Smooth and Earthy

Ripe Pu-erh Cake This compressed cake from Menghai represents what I love about traditional ripe Pu-erh. The earthy richness is balanced by a juicy quality that makes each sip satisfying. I appreciate how this tea offers that classic fermented character - smooth, comforting, and warming. The cake format is traditional and practical - you break off pieces as needed, and it stores beautifully.

Taste: Earthy, rich, juicy. Caffeine: Low Best for: Daily drinking, cold weather, digestive support

Mandarin Pu-erh  This traditional combination fascinated me when I first encountered it in China. Whole dried mandarin peels from Xinhui are filled with ripe Pu-erh, creating a marriage of flavours that's both natural and harmonious. The mandarin peel adds brightness to the earthy tea while contributing its own digestive properties. What's remarkable is how the citrus oils slowly infuse the tea, creating an evolving flavour profile through multiple steepings.

Taste: Earthy Pu-erh with dried mandarin peel, smooth. Caffeine: Low Best for: After meals, digestive support, unique tea experience

How to Brew Pu-erh Tea

All our packaging includes detailed brewing instructions, but here's what I've learned through years of brewing these teas:

Raw Pu-erh (Sheng) Brewing

Raw Pu-erh has higher caffeine and more astringency, so I adjust brewing accordingly:

Western Style:

• Use 1g per 250ml with 90-100°C water
• Steep for 3 minutes, enjoy up to 4 infusions
• Perfect for daily drinking without fuss

Gongfu Style:

• For Pu-erh balls: 1 ball (6-6.5g) per 150ml gaiwan
• For loose raw Pu-erh: 6g per 150ml gaiwan
• Water temperature: 90-100°C
• First infusion: 10-30 seconds
• Subsequent infusions: Add 10 seconds each time
• Enjoy 9-15 infusions, depending on the tea

Ripe Pu-erh (Shou) Brewing

Ripe Pu-erh is more forgiving and benefits from slightly longer steeping:

Western Style:

• Use 2g per 400ml with 90-100°C water
• Steep for 3-5 minutes, up to 3 infusions
• For mandarin Pu-erh: 1 piece per 400ml, 1 minute per infusion

Gongfu Style:

• Use 4g per 150ml gaiwan (or 1 mandarin piece)
• Water temperature: 95-100°C
• Start with a quick rinse to "wake up" the tea
• First 4 infusions: 30 seconds (10 seconds for Mandarin)
• From fifth infusion: Add 10 seconds each time
• Enjoy 10-15 infusions

My Special Tip: For an intense flavour experience with ripe Pu-erh cake, try boiling the leaves for 3 minutes - it extracts flavours you won't get through regular steeping.

Understanding Pu-erh Benefits

Through my years of drinking and sharing Pu-erh, I've noticed some interesting patterns. The fermentation process creates beneficial microorganisms that many customers find helpful for digestion. I often recommend ripe Pu-erh after meals for this reason.

Raw Pu-erh, with its higher caffeine content, provides a different kind of energy than coffee - more sustained and less jittery in my experience. Ripe Pu-erh, being lower in caffeine, works beautifully any time of day and seems to have a settling effect.

The antioxidant profile is unique too. The fermentation creates compounds you won't find in other teas, which is part of what makes Pu-erh so special from a wellness perspective.

Why I Choose These Particular Pu-erh Teas

I source these directly from trusted producers in Yunnan Province, focusing on teas that represent their style authentically. Our Tasmanian Lavender blend is my way of making this traditional tea more accessible to local palates while maintaining respect for the original.

Each tea serves a different purpose in my daily life. The Tasmanian Lavender blend is my evening companion, the raw Pu-erh balls are perfect for afternoon tea sessions, and the ancient single tree is reserved for those moments when I want to slow down and truly appreciate what I'm drinking.

The compressed formats aren't just traditional - they're practical. They preserve the tea better and make it easier to control portions, especially when you're learning Gongfu brewing.

Getting Started with Our Collection

If you're new to Pu-erh, I'd suggest starting with our Tasmanian Lavender blend. It gives you the Pu-erh experience with familiar floral notes that ease the transition.

For those ready to explore traditional Pu-erh, the Raw Pu-erh Ball is wonderful - the portion control makes it easy to experiment with brewing methods, and Yiwu region produces some of the most approachable raw Pu-erh.

If you're curious about the traditional mandarin combination, our Mandarin Pu-erh offers something unique that showcases how natural ingredients can complement each other without artificial enhancement.

I'm always happy to chat about these teas and help you find what suits your taste and routine. Pu-erh has this wonderful way of revealing more about itself the longer you spend with it.

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All our Pu-erh teas are sourced from Yunnan Province, China, and contain no artificial flavours, colours, or preservatives. Each package includes detailed brewing instructions.