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A list of some of my favourite Chinese tea 1-Pu-erh tea Pu-erh or Pu'er tea (Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese: 普洱茶; pinyin: pǔ'ěr chá, Cantonese pou2 lei5 (bou2 lei5) or pou2 nei5 (bou2 nei5 ) tea (Jyutping romanization)) is a type of tea made from a "large leaf" variety of the tea plant Camellia sinensis and named after Pu'er county near Simao, Yunnan, China. Pu-erh tea can either be purchased as either raw/green (sheng) or ripened/cooked(shou), depending on processing method or aging. Sheng and shou pu-erh can in turn be roughly classified on the tea oxidation scale as either a green tea or post-fermented tea, respectively. The fact that pu-erh fits in more than one tea type poses some problems for classification. For this reason, the "green tea" aspect of pu-erh is sometimes ignored, and the tea is regarded solely as a post-fermented product. Unlike other teas that should ideally be consumed shortly after production, pu-erh can be drunk immediately or aged for many years. As such, pu-erh teas are often now classified by year and region of production much like wine vintages. While there are many forgeries of pu-erh on the market and real aged pu-erh is difficult to find and identify, it is still possible to find pu-erh that is 10 to 50 years old, as well as a few from the late Qing dynasty. Indeed, tea connoisseurs and speculators are willing to pay high prices for older pu-erh, upwards of thousands of dollars per cake. Pu-erh tea is typically available as loose leaf or as cakes of compacted tea (see Tea brick). (More details can be found http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pu-erh_tea , including introduction, picture and others) **************************** Abour Pu-erh to keep fit Pu-Erh: it is used in the traditional Chinese therapy since centuries because of its favourably physiological effects. Its active ingredients enhance fat decomposition, stimulate the metabolism of liver and decrease the cholesterol level of blood. They help to lose weight caused by unhealthy nutrition. (http://naturprodukt.hu/eng/index ... id=20&Itemid=34, they used the element of Pu-erh to produce pill) ___________________________ Introduction from the website: http://www.drugfreeweightloss.com/article.cfm/id/64128 For long years, Chinese teas have been considered as weight loss aide. In fact, drinking a cup of tea with every meal is considered a protocol for using tea successfully as a metabolic stimulant. As you may know, tea by itself carries only four calories per serving, and it is most healthy when taken with nothing added. According to some experts, the Chinese weight loss teas are produced based on the belief that the caffeine in tea increases body function to help burn more calories. Also believed is that the tea contains polyphenols which seem to aid in the digestion of fat, truly making it a Chinese weight loss tea. Generally, all types of Chinese tea are deemed great for weight loss. They all offer a low calorie alternative to commercial beverages. However, the Pu-erh and Oolong teas have received the most attention regarding weight loss. Let?s take a look at these two well-known Chinese weight loss teas. Pu-erh Tea Although green tea has gotten all the press, the pu-erh teas are finally being enjoyed in the West. This is because many have believed that pu-erh, which is also known as ?medicinal tea? in China, merits a place among the tea shelves of Americans. Some of the pu-erh tea trees are said to be ancient, the oldest known tree is more than 2000 years old. Well, these trees are believed to be an older variety of the modern, being a smaller leafed tea bush. The leaves of this variety are processed differently than green tea leaves. They are usually oxidized similar to that of the oolong tea, but not as long as black tea. What happens is that the leaves are dried loose or compressed into tea bricks, tea cakes or Tuochas that look like a bird nests. Well, for some people this Chinese weight loss tea in this state is a unique visual experience. Some of the tea cakes have been aged in caves just to develop their earthly flavor. What makes pu-erh great for weight loss is that it helps to decrease blood cholesterol levels and improves fats metabolism. Also, it is thought that the unique double fermentation done with this acclaimed Chinese weight loss tea may create special enzymes and microbes that provide the body micronutrients essential for well-being. Furthermore, one cup of pu-erh tea with each meal has shown to stimulate weight loss. It is said to balance the body?s systems and stimulate a more functional metabolism. Oolong Tea The Oolong tea is but a well-known variety of semi-fermented or oxidized tea. It is particularly noted for its flowery and intense qualities. Accordingly, the Oolong ranges from bright green and slightly fermented to dark-leafed and hearty. It is dried fully, locking in the rich flavors that this Chinese weight loss tea is known to offer. It is actually this unique drying process which allows oolong to possess a number of stimulating attributes and can be applied for weight management in addition to a well-balanced diet. As mentioned, pu-erh and oolong teas are just two of the well-known Chinese weight loss teas. Aside from green tea, black tea, compressed tea, and other varieties, these two kinds are now highly available for those who wish to attain weight loss and better health. 2.Oolong Oolong (Chinese: 烏 龍; Hanyu Pinyin: wūlóng ) is a traditional Chinese type of tea somewhere in between green and black in oxidation, ranging from 10% to 70% oxidation. [1] In Chinese tea culture, semi-oxidized oolong teas are collectively grouped as qingcha (青茶, literally: blue-green tea). [2] It has a taste more akin to green tea than to black tea: it lacks the rosy, sweet aroma of black tea but it does not have the stridently grassy vegetal notes that typify green tea. The best Oolong has a nuanced flavor profile. It is commonly brewed to be strong, with the bitterness leaving a sweet and pleasant aftertaste. Oolongs produced in the Wuyi Mountains of Fujian Province and in the Central Mountains of Taiwan, are world famous. Oolong tea leaves are often processed and rolled into long curly leaves or into ball-like form similar to gunpowder tea. [1] It is commonly served in Chinese restaurants, to accompany dim sum and other Chinese food. ************************* ( Ti Guan Ying is one of Oolong tea, which it is called Cabbage Tea by Phil) Fújiàn province Tiě Guān Yīn Tiě Guān Yīn or Ti Kuan Yin (鐵觀音) Also known as 'Iron Goddess' this is a tea from Anxi in South Fujian. It is very famous, in fact a Chinese famous tea and very popular, hence there are many other teas that resemble its tight pelleted form. Huang Jin Gui: A tightly curled tea from Anxi in South Fujian. ********************************* (One of Oolong tea, which is my favourite) Dòng Dǐng (凍 頂) The name means Cold Summit. Dong Ding is a mountain in Nantou County, Central Taiwan. This is a tightly rolled tea with a light, distinctive fragrance. ( Details can be read at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oolong_tea ) 3. Longjing Zhejiang Province Zhejiang is home to the most famous of all teas, Xi Hu Longjing, as well as many other high-quality green teas. Longjing The most well-known of famous Chinese teas from Hangzhou, its name in Chinese means Dragon Well. It is pan-fired and has a distinctive flat appearance. Falsification of Longjing is very common, and most of the tea on the market is in fact produced in Sichuan Province and hence not authentic Longjing. 4. Bi Luo Chun Jiangsu Province Bi Luo Chun A Chinese famous tea also known as Green Snail Spring, from Dong Ting. As with Longjing, falsification is common and most of the tea marketed under this name may, in fact, be grown in Sichuan. (Copy from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_tea) |
