What is Puerh
Puerh’s ancient history dates over 2,000 years when tea was transported on horse caravans from the village of Pu Erh in Southwest China.
Made from a variety of old wild tea leaves called “broad leaf”, Puerh tea is grown in the Yunnan Mountains.
Puerh undergoes a secret process of fermentation, then it is ripened and aged for months to several years. This resulting is a uniquely bold and earthy flavor which is rich in beneficial microbes.
In addition Puerh contains polyphenols, statin, catechins, antioxidants and propiotics, which support its soothing and healing effects. This ancient healer is known to rejuvenate and promote life energy, refered to in Asian cultures as “Qi”.
The process of making Puerh can take months, years or even decades to reach fruition – the best teas are so highly prized that a single cake can cost thousands of dollars!
This amazing tea has a lot of health benefits and research shows its ability to help us burn fat and shed pounds.
Puerh tea and weight
Scientist divided 50 rats into five groups of 10 rats in each to evaluate the effect of Pu-erh tea extract on metabolism in rats having respectively a normal and a fatty diet.
The five groups were (Table 1):
- (Normal control) A group receiving normal diet
- (High-fat control) A control group receiving a very fatty diet
- (Low-dose) One group receiving a very fatty diet plus a minor dose of Pu-erh extract, 0.45 per kg body weight
- (Middle-dose) One group receiving a very fatty diet plus a twice as big dose of Pu-erh extract, 0.90 per kg body weight
- (High-dose) One group receiving a very fatty diet plus a high dose of Pu-erh extract, 1,35 per kg body weight
After the experiment, they could determine that the Pu-erh extract led to a reduction in body weight and fat index.
Puerh tea and cholesterol
Pu-erh has proven to be effective in lowering LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL cholesterol.
When talking about cholesterol, there is the good and the bad HDL (high density lipoprotein) and LDL (low density lipoprotein).
LDL is the type that deposits cholesterol on the inside of the blood vessels and this is therefore called the bad cholesterol. HDL, on the other hand, has the opposite effect – namely removing LDL from the bloodstream.
Studies show that large amounts of HDL cholesterol in the blood are directly related to a reduced risk of developing heart disease. Therefore, HDL is called the good cholesterol.
Puerh tea and cardiovascular disorders
Pu-erh tea is believed to possess many beneficial health effects since it is a natural source of cardioprotective lipid lowering and antioxidant compounds. The major constituents responsible for these beneficial effects remain unknown.
This study shows that fermented Pu-erh tea extract exerts strong antioxidative and lipid-lowering effects on rats and therefore can be used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disorders.
Solaris Puerh tea
Solaris Top Grade Puerh is a skilfully worked tea.
The freshest tea buds are handpicked from wild growing tea trees in the Yunnan Province in China. This tea is sourced high in the mountains and grows at an altitude of 3233m.
The buds undergo a unique process of fermentation to help activate health promoting ingredients. It is then aged for more than 6 years to define and perfect its unique, enthralling flavour.
Research has shown that this particular grade of Puerh contains more active ingredients compared to a lower grade Puerh and clinical studies confirm its effectiveness in lowering cholesterol and aiding weight loss.
Gold Star Winner at the Great Taste Awards 2009.
Have a look at all the organic puerh teas on organic-tea.org, click here.
PS. Puerh tea is also well-known as a cure for hangover… 😉