Menghai Small Leaf Puerh 08 普洱茶
Menghai is the most preferred brand for cooked Puerh in China due to the unique fragrance and flavor that its teas carry. Additionally, because of the consistent standard of high quality produced at the Menghai Tea Factory over many years, it has become widely regarded as the Puerh that all others are to be judged against. In China, Puerh is considered to be a medicinal beverage that helps metabolize fats. It is said to aid digestion, and medical studies have proven its ability to sucessfully reduce cholesterol, working as effectively as some of the leading pharmaceuticals when four cups a day were consumed. This tea is commonly mixed with chrysanthemum flower to create a Chinese Restaurant Tea.
The Skinny On Puerh
The southern part of Yunnan is a mountainous area where the average altitude is about 2000 metres. "High mountains yield high quality tea", tea masters used to say. No industry, no pollution, far from any big city, fertile soil, enough rainfall and sunshine; all of these conditions together make the Puerh Tea a truly natural tea. Many varieties of local tea exist, and some of the best known names are Beeng (Cake), Tuocha (Birds Nest), and Fu (Brick) Puerh teas.
Allegedly, Zhu Ge Liang from the Three Kingdoms period (220-360) encouraged the Yunnan people to cultivate tea to improve their lives. Yunnan Puerh Tea is known as the world's most ancient tea, and also the world's finest tea. Studies have shown that Puerh Tea is the ancestor to all teas in existence today in the world, and it is famous for its great taste, it's health benefit, and much like wine for it's increased monetary value as it ages.
Scientific studies in France, China and Japan have all proved that this tea has many medical benefits to the human body. Drinking a minimum of four cups daily has been shown to reduce body weight and lower cholesterol in the blood stream. Puerh is very popular in Japan, Korea and Europe where it is already widely recognized as a diet aid.
Daily consumption of Puerh Tea has been shown to have many profound health benefits
• Significant impact on controlling obesity as it helps metabolise fat
• Antioxidant (anti-aging), and improves longevity overall
• Stimulates Central Nervous System (better concentration, quicker reaction time)
• Helps to reduce cholesterol and cultivates blood circulation to protect the heart
• Efficient in removing toxins, and enhances the immune system
A popular staple in Cantonese Dim Sum Restaurants, Puerh has had a spell of popularity outside of China recently due to Victoria Beckham referring to it as “The Miracle Skinny Tea," and Time Magazine calling it “China’s Next Hot Commodity.”
Origin: Yunnan, China
Harvest Period: 2008
Brewing Guide: To get the most out of your tea, as a general rule it's always recommended to use glass-based or porcelain tea ware. First rinse the tea cup and teapot with hot water. Then use about 2 grams of tea leaves (1-2 teaspoons) for every 150ml (5 fl oz.) of water. Steep your Yunnan Bi Luo in hot water at 212°F for 1 to 2 minutes for the first and second brewings depending on desired strength. Gradually increase steeping time for subsequent brewings.
