Steenbergs Organic Pu-Erh

Steenbergs organic Pu-erh teas have a rich gamey taste with hints of damp cellars. Pu-Erh teas are a modern phenomenon from 1973. The aim was to speed up the post-fermentation process of black teas compressed in tea cake; the process worked so well and on leaves that were loose as well as compressed so the manufacturer realised there was no need to compress the leaves. To get naturally aged black teas, you must look out for Pu-erh tea cakes, but we never found any interest in them when we stocked them. Pu-erh teas brew a dark reddy brown liquor that smells gamy and tastes rich, marine and damp earth, with definite notes of moist undergrowth.

Tea brewing: Use a warmed tea-pot and put 1 heaped teaspoon per person of organic Pu-erh into the pot or mug-filter, add freshly boiled water and leave to infuse for 4 – 5 minutes. Drink without milk.

That’s the traditional way, but I recommend infusing it twice, so infuse at first for 10 seconds with nearly boiling water then chuck the water away; heat the kettle to boiling and pour hot water onto the washed leaves and allow to brew for 3 – 4 minutes. I find that removes some of the less pleasant fishy tastes that Pu-erh can have and balances out the flavours.

Tasting notes: Gamey, marine, with tastes of moist earth and damp, autumnal undergrowth – mushrooms, tree moss and mould.