Pu Erh tea, pronounced “poo-air”, originates from the Yunnan Province of China and named after the town of Pu Erh where the tea was first cultivated. It still comes from the plant Camellia sinesis but has a completely different processing method and taste to other tea types. It is known to be a tea full of benefits both to the palate and body. Explore and buy Pu Er tea.

The Process

Cultivated from a larger leaf strain of camellia sinensis “Dayeh”. These ancient tea trees with matured leaves are known to be between 500 and 1000 years old. These trees are grown in pleasant regions and can be harvested all year-round, but some experts say the best time to harvest is mid-spring.

There are two types of Pu-erh teas: Raw Pu-erh (Sheng) and Ripe Pu-erh (Shou).

The raw Pu Erh method is made from green tea leaves that are processed in the green tea method. Then the dried tea is compressed into cakes and balls and then aged in a dark location, often for many years. During this time the tea undergoes a form of oxidation caused by the growth of yeast on the tea. The tea is lighter and bright yellow when brewed. The leaves are dark green when dry and boast a mild, slight sweet after taste flavour profile.

The ripe Pu Erh method is made from black tea leaves and is processed the same as raw Pu Erh until the compressing stage. The ripe Pu Erh goes through a process called piling, where the leaves are placed in piles of 25 to 30 inches in height. The leaves are then sprayed with water and covered with a linen cloth which increases the speed of oxidation and changes the colour and flavour of the tea. This tea has a deep amber colour when brewed.

The aging process allows the Pu Erh teas to improve with age like fine wine and is said to retain their freshness for up to fifty years.

Taste 

Conditions and environmental factors can influence the flavour profile of pu-erh tea. Smooth, fruity, peaty, grassy, musky, herbal and earthy are the flavour characteristics of this delightful tea.

Best times to drink 

Pu Erh tea has caffeine and by drinking a cup in the morning or early afternoon, can help increase energy levels. If maintaining weight loss goals, the best time to consume a cup will be one hour after a meal.

How to brew

This tea is traditionally brewed at a higher temperature and can be steeped multiple times to experience the different flavour profiles of the tea.

1. Preheat your teapot and all utensils by swirling with a little hot water and discard. This is to ensure your tea steeps precisely at the proper temperature and use the right amount of water for brewing.
2. Place 5g of Pu Erh loose leaf in tea pot.
3. Rinse the leaves by pouring a little hot water over them, swirl, and discard this "wash". This removes any small pieces of debris and coaxes the leaves to unfurl to be ready for steeping.
4. Fill the teapot with 350ml hot water at 95 to 100 Celsius. Do not use boiling hot water as it can result in bitter flavours.
5. The steeping time of a Pu-erh tea is generally 1 to 2 minutes. If you want to experience the different flavour profiles of the tea, you can brew the tea up to 3 times. 1st brew - 2 mins, 2nd brew - 3 mins, and 3rd brew - 4 mins.

Pu Erh Tea Benefits

Along with a wide range of flavours and varieties, just one cup of Pu Erh can boost your overall health – but how?  Here’s the breakdown of Pu Erh Tea benefits:

• Supporting your digestion — Regarded by some as a “functional food”, it is excellent after a meal to help with digestion. Believed to encourage bowel movement, this tea may even aid with relieving constipation. Being lightly fermented, it is also said to provide a helpful boost to your overall digestive system health.
• Encouraging improved blood circulation — Full of antioxidants, drinking Pu-erh regularly can act to support your blood in absorbing and carrying more oxygen around the body and to all our organs.
• Aiding in mitigating migraines and headaches — By offering a calming and relaxing effect paired with its role in encouraging optimal blood circulation and its obvious hydrating powers, this tea is a great choice for those who suffer from painful headaches.
• Reducing free radicals — Also due to its antioxidant content, Pu-erh tea can assist in our bodies’ fight to control and limit free radicals and their damaging effects.
• Losing weight — If you are working on shaking off a few extra kilos, then add drinking Pu-erh tea to your healthy diet and exercise routine. Some studies have indicated that this tea plays a role in reducing your bodies’ ability to synthesize fatty acids, which would help in your dieting effort.
• Lowering your cholesterol level — While this claim is still not scientifically proven, some early studies have shown that Pu-erh tea contains small amounts of lovastatin (a chemical found in prescription medicine used to lower cholesterol). Created during the fermentation process, more research needs to be done to definitively prove this health benefit of drinking this tea.
• Increase Energy – Due to the caffeine in this tea, drinking a cup can increase your energy levels and help you focus and get through the day. 

Go Pu Erh tea

Unearth the new flavours, taste the difference, and discover the joy that drinking Pu Erh brings to your energy, mood, and health. This fermented and aged tea is one for the true tea connoisseurs. So, buy Pu Erh tea today.

Our incredible partnerships have made these achievements possible. There is still a way to go, but together we are committed to driving the change that is needed to achieve a thriving tea sector.

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Green Tea

Our artisan range of green teas are sources from 3 distinctive tea growing regions. Sri Lanka, Japan & China.

Sri Lanka (Kandy Region) - The tea industry was born in Ceylon when James Taylor started a tea plantation in Loolecondera estate in Kandy in 1867. He was drawn to this medium grown region and it’s not hard to see why, the Kandyan Hills are spectacular - marked by a cool, calming atmosphere and heady fragrant breezes. It is one of Sri Lanka’s most flourishing tea growing regions, but it was also the last Kingdom of Sri Lanka. Known as the central province of Sri Lanka, the tea estates are dotted in the hills surrounding the low-lying valley of Kandy. The altitude is considered ‘mid-grown’, the estates are surrounded by mountains all around, which protects them from wind and helps produce a deeper-coloured, bright and fragrant tea.

Our green teas such as Honeydew Green, Strawberry Green & My Marrakech are directly sourced from Sri Lanka’s medium grown region.

Japan – Our Gyokuro Prestige, Genmaichai & Yuzu Kukicha green teas are sourced from the beautiful Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan. Known to be the largest tea producing region of Japan, Shizuoka is also one of the country’s most beautiful tea-growing areas, framed by the towering peak of Mt Fuji. The region is climatically perfect for tea cultivation, with fresh water, sun, heavy mists and nutrient-rich volcanic soil. There’s sun, extreme temperature fluctuations and heavy mists. This unusual terroir, produce a distinctive regional flavour.

The best senchas in Japan hail from the mountains of Kirishima in Kagoshima. Kagoshima is surrounded by volcanic landscapes and ocean, a beautiful and effective combination for tea cultivation. The endless sunshine and mild climate, along with the volcanic soil, combine to create the perfect conditions for sencha. Our Japanese sencha is made by Yutakamidori cultivar and the tea is processed and grown in a very particular way to ensure quality and avoid oxidization.

China – China is the largest green tea producing country and we source unique green tea blends from directly from origins.

Huangshan Mountain is one of China’s most famous and beautiful, and it’s also home to some of the best green teas in the country. Our Huangshan Mao Feng tea is sourced from this breathtaking region.

Longjing village is situated Hangzhou in China’s Zhejiang province – which has a moderate climate and high altitude, perfect to produce tea and our Longjin Tea hails from this region. The misty fields are nourished by low fogs and running streams. The leaves are picked and roasted on the same day, and the roasters use their bare hands to feel the heat and dryness of the leaves as they roast.

Hunan borders several other tea-producing provinces. The word ‘Hunan’ means south of the lake, because the renowned Dongting lake can be found just south of the border.  Hunan’s subtropical climate is ideal for tea, the rich soil, and small variations in temperature through the day produce a very fragrant and beautiful green tea which is our popular Oriental Jasmine Green and Spring Green tea.

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Oolong Tea

We source our oolong teas from a few different regions of China. 

Fujian Anxi, a county in the southern Fujian province, known to many as the Tea Capital of China. The tea plantations are in the lush mountains and hills, green and sprawling. As beautiful to look at as they are to harvest tea from. The soil is rich thanks to constant rainfall and a moderate sub-tropical climate and yields the high-quality tea that Anxi is famed for. The high altitude and cool climate produce sweeter leaves than the hotter lower-lying regions, and the mountainous terrain allows for excellent drainage.

Our oolong teas such as Milk Oolong, Jasmine Oolong, Tie Guan Yin, Ginseng Oolong, Oolong Rose, Kiwi Berry & Sweet Peach are sourced from this region.

Our Da Hong Pao tea is sourced from the scenic mountainous region of Wuyishan is home to Wuyi Oolong. Stretching along the northernmost border of the Jiangxi province, the mountains of Wuyi are home to 36 soaring peaks and the beautiful Nine Bend Creek – a river that undulates through the wild terrain. Tea sustains life here, there are tea gardens and teahouses dotted throughout the region, run by the Wuyi mountain people. Wuyishan has become an Ecological Preserve and is now protected from development – there are also laws in place to ensure tea production is environmentally sustainable. The abundance of native forest that flourishes here as a result, has created a beautiful habitat for birds and insects. This has encouraged the production of polyphenols in the tea, which generate a distinctive, rich flavour.

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Black Tea

Black tea is mostly produced in the tea growing regions of China and India. And other popular black tea producing countries are Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam & Kenya. We directly source our black teas from China, India & Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka – Our black teas are produced in the Kandy & Ruhuna regions in Sri Lanka. Ruhuna’s low-grown long leaf, full-flavoured black tea combines beautifully with the rich and fragrant tea from medium-grown Kandy. The distinctive flavour and exceptional quality of the sweeping coastal Ruhuna leaves add a layer of distinctive complexity to the blend, while the protected, lush rolling hills of Kandy and its full-bodied plants bring richness to the tea.

Our most popular black teas such as English breakfast, Supreme Earl Grey, French Earl Grey, Malabar Chai, Royal Ceylon Breakfast, My Melbourne, South Melbourne Breakfast & Orange Pekoe are sourced from this region.

India – Our Assam tea & Darling Darjeeling tea are sourced from the popular tea growing regions of Assam and Darjeeling in India. Black teas grown in India are typically grown from the camellia sinensis var. assamica tea variety, and have a darker, richer, and more full-bodied character. Low altitude, rich soil conditions, sufficient rainfall and a distinctive climate help these regions to produce some of the finest whole leaf teas.

China - Black teas originating from China have rich history stretching back centuries. These teas tend to be slightly lighter and milder and are lovely when taken on their own without the addition of milk or sugar.  We have 3 artisan single origin teas that we source from China. Keemun black, Lapsang Souchong and Yunnan Golden Tips.

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Pu Erh Tea

We source our Pu Erh teas from Menghai, a county in the Yunnan province of China. It’s tucked into the southernmost corner of the country and shares a border with Myanmar. Menghai’s mild sub-tropical climate and remoteness encourage rich biodiversity and foster the growth of high quality teas. Tea leaves are grown and harvested in counties along the Lancang river here – including ‘wild arbor’, the highly sought after large, soft, silver leaves found on plants that grow wild on the hillside. It’s believed that some of these trees are over 1000 years old.

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Herbal & Fruit Tea

We source our fresh herbs, flowers, and real fruit pieces from around the world. USA, Sri Lanka & Germany are to name a few. These chosen ingredients use a combination of skill, patience and experience in our picking and sorting methods providing a balanced experience for customers taste buds. Each of these ingredients are focused on promoting wellness in different ways through each tea’s unique combination.

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Rooibos Tea

Indigenous to South Africa’s mountainous region of Cederberg, Rooibos is actually a herb that’s harvested, dried, and brewed into a fragrant herbal infusion. It grows amidst an incredibly bio-diverse World Heritage protected wildlife area, with dramatic 500-million-year-old sandstone formations and 6000-year-old rock art. An appropriately spectacular natural setting for this rich, flavourful and nourishing ‘bush tea’ to hail from.  Smoky, sweet, woody, grassy, vanilla, floral, geranium, honey, herbal and caramel are just a handful of the words that can describe the flavor spectrum of sipping a rooibos tea.

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Experience the freshness, different flavour characteristics with some of our fave brews.

As winter is the time to give your immune system a little boost and moringa, aka the miracle tree, will give it exactly the type of boost it needs. Traditionally used to help combat malnutrition, this protein and mineral-rich plant is gaining in popularity in the wellness circles and we’re letting you in on the secret now. It’s full of vitamins, minerals, and detoxifying properties to help you feel your best. The best part? It tastes amazing! Learn more about our moringa teas below.

• Citrus Cleanse - With a cleansing combination of moringa, lemon balm leaves and green tea, this tea has a minty and spicy aroma that also includes rosehip, raspberry leaves, sage leaves, nettle leaves, cardamom, lemon peel, orange peel & acerola pieces.
• Strawberry Moringa - Lusciously fruity and fibrous in taste thanks to the strawberry pieces and moringa leaves, this tea is packed with vitamins, fibre and antioxidants. It also features apple pieces, raisins, carrot, beetroot & hibiscus.
• Feel Good - With rich red fruity elements from the papaya, red currants & pomegranate, the tea is complemented with an undertone of spice and citrus thanks to moringa leaves, lemongrass, strawberry leaves & rose blossom leaves.
• Revive - With tastes of sweet cinnamon and light bursts of citrus toasted almonds this festive combination of ingredients includes moringa leaves, apple pieces, lemongrass, cinnamon sticks, orange pieces, toasted almonds & rose blossom leaves.
• De Stress - With floral notes and hints of citrus, candied mango pieces, orange peels and fig slices. This zen tea also includes relaxing herbs like vervain, lemongrass, chamomile blossom and moringa.

Moringa Tea Benefits

• May help combat malnutrition.
• May Reduce Inflammation
• Lower Cholesterol & Blood Sugar Levels
• Can Protect Against Arsenic Toxicity
• Caffeine free wellness tea
• Contains the most nutritional value compared to other plants.
• Vegan friendly

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All About Turmeric

Turmeric (pronounced “TUR-muhr-ihk”), the Golden Spice, is revered in India and many Asian cultures as a nourishing culinary ingredient as well as a plant medicine. Human beings have used traditional forms of turmeric for nearly four millennia. Learn more about our turmeric teas below.

• Turmeric Ginger - Herbs like turmeric and ginger are a match made in immune-supporting heaven. This pair of teas combine to help soothe symptoms related to common colds and flus. Ginger can help the body’s natural defenses fight off a virus. It’s also great for curbing nausea and an upset stomach that can come along with the flu.
• Turmeric Zest - Made with portions of turmeric infused with rooibos and citric florals like hibiscus, orange peel, rosehip, cornflower, lemon peel & stevia leaves. This is an elegant herbal infusion.
• Turmeric Tonic - A supercharged drink that can be enjoyed day or night. This tea promotes a sense of calm. The herbal infusion gets its therapeutic properties from peppermint and the oh so potent roots of turmeric and ginger with a pinch of red pepper and a combination of other ingredients like liqourice, lemon peel, cinnamon, star anise & lemon flavour
• Turmeric Latte - Inspired by traditional recipes of finely ground spices we have paired Turmeric the golden girl herself with her favourite cousin, ginger. Together a few different spices, including cinnamon, cardamom with added black pepper. An awesome way to start your day.

 Turmeric Tea Benefits

• May support a healthy antioxidant status
• May support a healthy inflammation response
• May support healthy brain function & positive mood
• May support healthy cardiovascular function
• Caffeine free
• Vegan friendly

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How to make a wellness blend tea

Making a warm cup of one of our moringa or turmeric teas is easy.

First, choose your preferred winter wellness blend. Then, bring water almost to a boil at 99C. For optimum flavour, always use fresh, filtered, low mineral cold water. Do not re-boil water as it loses oxygen and becomes flat. Steep your tea for three to six minutes to develop the flavours and get the right colour. To finish, you can add a squeeze of lemon juice or honey to make it even more soothing to your throat.

Shop Wellness Teas

So, what are your waiting for? It’s time to brew up a steaming cuppa of one of our Moringa Teas or a sunny yellow drink of Turmeric tea to ensure you stay on top of your health this winter.  You never know - spiritual and mental well-being might just be a sip away.

As tea specialists, we aim to bring you high-quality tea from all over the globe. All our tea is handpicked, ethically sourced, and tasted by our master blender who brings decades of family traditions and knowledge. Buy our wellness blend tea online today.