Art of Tea owner and founder, Steve Schwartz and I continued our tea journey to discover the wonders of re-steeping pu-erh. Naturally, this is not my favorite choice for tea because of its bold and earthy characteristics, but I learned that re-steeping it can definitely change its flavor profile. This time, Steve and I re-steeped loose leaf pu-erh using Art of Tea’s Immortal Nectar.

The name Immortal Nectar comes from the Sanskrit term, Amrit, meaning “immortality”. In Hinduism, Amrit is known as a drink of the gods or nectar of the goddess. Just as the Greeks consumed ambrosia or food of the gods, the Hindus drank Amrit, which granted them immortality. Accordingly, this cave-aged, supreme loose leaf pu-erh was named after a heavenly elixir to infer that it may provide unearthly graces, or health benefits.

An article from Livestrong.com says pu-erh tea reduces cardiovascular risk and fat content as well as helps prevent cancer. Since pu-erh consists of broken leaves from the tea plant, Camellia Sinensis, these leaves yield a higher oxidation level when the tea is fermented. This is believed to produce pu-erh’s health benefits.

First, we put one teaspoon of the loose leaf Immortal Nectar in our Gaiwan. Then, we flushed the tea for 30 seconds to rinse off any excess sediment still lingering on the tea from the fermentation process. After that, we poured the boiled water over the leaves and drained the water after 30 seconds.

This is a great pu-erh to try if you are new to this tea because it provides lighter flavors that come across as slightly sweet and less astringent. Throughout the five steeps, the flavor profile of Immortal Nectar continued to evolve in sometimes unexpected ways. As you notice, the third steep released a whiskey taste and alcohol-like essence. By the fourth steep, the traditional robust and woodsy pu-erh flavors were soon overpowered by sweet and cinnamon undertones. This was the best cup yet! It was evident that the more I re-steeped the better tasting the tea became. Each steep unlocked a number of flavors and aromas surprising me each time.

The discovery of new tea profiles never ends when you simply re-steep the leaves. It’s amazing what aromas and flavors are released after multiple steeps. Now it’s your turn! Feel free to use our steeping times and water temperatures as a guideline, but adjust where you see fit. Share your tea journeys with us by commenting below!

-MELISSA CHUA

I sat down with Art of Tea owner and founder, Steve Schwartz for a lesson in re-steeping tea. One of the many benefits of loose leaf tea is the beauty of re-steeping the leaves. The Chinese typically prefer to re-steep oolong and pu-erh teas because they believe that only after multiple steeps, the true flavors and essence of the tea come out. However, you can re-steep most loose leaf teas multiple times. You may find that you prefer a tea’s tenth steep far more than its first. Re-steeping tea opens the leaves further, releasing different flavors, tones and aromas. Enjoy the best cup of tea one steep at time and receive more of its benefits as the leaves continue to unfold.

It’s an exciting adventure to witness how the flavors ripen and notice how your senses react to each steep. Follow our journey as Steve and I re-steep pu-erh teas divided into two parts. First, join us through our exploration of re-steeping a pu-erh cake. Stay tuned for part two, where we re-steep loose leaf pu-erh.

What is Pu-erh?

Pu-erh, (pooh-air) sometimes called dark tea, is mainly found in Yunnan, China. It’s the most consumed tea throughout the country. According to an article in Natural News, pu-erh has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. Traditional uses include the removal of toxins from the body, weight loss, improving eyesight, reducing cholesterol, promoting blood circulation and reviving those who have over indulged in alcohol.

Pu-erh tea undergoes a unique fermentation process where microbes feed on its leaves, allowing natural mold and yeast to develop. This aging process enhances and produces the earthy flavors and moss-like characteristics of pu-erh. The darkened and dried leaves and buds of the Camellia Sinensis plant are then traditionally pressed into a cake or served as loose leaf. Similar to red wine, the older the tea, the better tasting and higher quality the tea becomes. Because of its fermentation process, pu-erh tastes and smells like a damp forest floor. It is engulfed with earthy tones, damp wood and dirt tastes and aromas. More men over women tend to gravitate towards this tea. The smell alone often hinders me from taking my first sip. But after much hesitation, I’ve tasted a number of pu-erh teas, and I can fairly say that I’m not a fan. Find out if re-steeping it swayed my palate.

In this venture, Steve and I decided to re-steep Art of Tea’s Pu-erh Tuo Cha. Tuo cha literally means pressed tea. In early China, tea was compacted into a pressed cake for easy transport during long trading voyages. Art of Tea’s Tuo Cha is pressed into a tiny bowl shape perfect for a single serving, which goes a long way with re-steeping. As the hot water hits the pressed leaves, they gently unravel into loose entities emitting their flavor.

First, we flushed the Pu-erh Tuo Cha for 30 seconds. We dropped the single bowl-shaped cake into our Gaiwan and poured boiling water over it. After 30 seconds, we threw out the water as if to clean and rinse the pu-erh.

*Tip: Flushing tea is an important step in re-steeping because it removes excess and external sediment naturally found on tea, especially pu-erh. A quick flush of 5-10 seconds awakens the tea leaves by opening and expanding cells within the leaves.

Keep in mind that every experience is different, but this is just part of the mystery of each sip of tea. As expected, this pu-erh initially tasted very earthy and astringent. However, after five steeps, the flavor finally opened up to sweeter and lighter tones. The sixth steep surprised my taste buds completely. Although the sweetness started peaking in on the fifth steep, I did not expect the oatmeal and barley flavors to permeate. By the final steep, I was actually enjoying my cup of pu-erh! Join us next time as Steve and I continue our journey in re-steeping pu-erh.

-MELISSA CHUA

Searching for luxury and mixed exotic flavors in an affordable cold drink? Are you trying to cut back on your alcohol intake? Are you trying to lessen your calorie intake and keep your svelte shape for the summer? If you answered yes, to any of the above, we at the Art of Tea have a sensational solution for you. Tea Sangria. Yes, that’s what we said. The delicious, fruity beverage in a non-alcoholic tea form.

Use your favorite black tea, but if you’re a fan of green, white, oolong or a special herbal infusion, use that instead. Not only is this creation absolutely thirst quenching, but it is really a fabulous pitcher or bowl to look at.

Here’s what you’ll need:

* One gallon of fresh spring or purified water
* Eight to ten Art of Tea teabags or eight to ten heaping teaspoons of your favorite Art of Tea blend
*Fresh fruit cut into small, wedge-like pieces
Here you can use your own discretion: Wash and peel two to three cups of oranges, kiwis, raspberries, strawberries, (any berry), lemons, limes, peaches,apples and pears(remove the seeds and core) etc. Chill in refrigerator until ready to use
* Ice cubes made from fruit juice or the same blend your are using for the Tea Sangria

Directions:
* Heat water to almost boiling, then brew the tea for a minimum of five minutes or to taste.
* Chill brewed tea for at least an hour
* Chill the glasses, pitcher or bowl in freezer
* Place fruit or tea cubes into bowl or pitcher
* Add fruit and pour tea over fruit and ice
* For an added treat garnish the chilled glass with a lemon or lime wedge
* Enjoy

We’re anxious to hear what you think, so once you’ve tried this recipe, drop us a quick note. We’re also looking to hear from you about your own special take on a refreshing summer beverage that you’ve created. If it’s new and something we’ve never seen or heard of before we’ll feature it somewhere on our site.

Cheers!!!!!