FAQs
Everything You Need to Know About Puerh Tea
What is puerh tea?
Puerh tea is a truly distinctive type of tea, often regarded by seasoned tea drinkers as the final destination on their tea journey. It is known for its full-bodied taste, layered flavors, and richness in natural compounds. Over time, it continues to develop and transform, revealing new depth and complexity with age.
A key concept in Puerh culture is “one mountain, one flavor,” as teas from different mountain regions offer unique characteristics. Puerh tea comes from tall and ancient tea trees. Some of these trees grow several meters high and are hundreds of years old. They thrive naturally in the mountain forests of Yunnan, China.
What's the difference between Raw (Sheng) and Ripe (Shou) puerh?
Raw Puerh is made from fresh Puerh leaves that are pan-fired, rolled, sun-dried, and naturally aged. This process develops unique floral and fruity aromas, along with a rich, wild mountain character.
The tea is full-bodied with complex layers, and as it ages, the infusion gradually deepens from pale yellow to golden.
Ripe Puerh is produced using the same method as raw Puerh, with an additional step of wet piling fermentation. This process, driven by microorganisms and enzymes, accelerates aging.
It has a smooth, full-bodied taste with notes of aged wood, caramel, and nuts. The infusion is a deep, rich, bright red.
Why do you mainly sell Puerh tea balls?
Mainly for their convenience. Tea balls are incredibly easy to carry. Whether you're traveling or just heading out, you can simply put one in your pocket or handbag. Their portability also makes them perfect for sharing or gifting to others in a casual, elegant way.
How much caffeine is in puerh tea?
As a reference, an 8 oz (240 ml) cup of raw puerh contains about 30–70 mg of caffeine, while ripe puerh has around 20–50 mg. In comparison, black coffee typically contains 80–120 mg per cup.
What health benefits does puerh tea have?
Yes, puerh tea is believed to boost energy gently, support digestion, reduce cholesterol, aid weight management, improve gut health, and rich in antioxidants that helps fight free radicals and support cellular health.
These benefits may vary from person to person and be influenced by lifestyle.
Is puerh tea safe to drink every day?
Yes, you can enjoy puerh tea daily in moderate amounts just like any other teas.
What's the best time to drink puerh tea?
Raw puerh is slightly stronger in nature and is best enjoyed after meals.
Ripe puerh is very gentle on the stomach and can be enjoyed at any time of the day.
In what scenarios is puerh tea typically enjoyed?
In addition to regular tea-drinking moments, puerh tea's unique brewing and sharing style makes it especially suitable for social occasions such as family gatherings, get-togethers with friends, and business meetings where tea is shared among several people.
Brewing tea
How many people can share one Puerh tea ball?
One tea ball is the standard serving size for individual use. However, considering the brewing volume of a Gaiwan, we recommended for 3 to 5 people to enjoy together.
How should I brew puerh tea?
The standard method is to use 8 grams of puerh tea in a gaiwan (lidded bowl). Pour in boiling water (100°C / 212°F) just enough to cover the leaves, and wait a few seconds. Then quickly pour it out—this first rinse is called “awakening the tea.” It helps open up the leaves and remove any dust or impurities.
Next, pour boiling water into the gaiwan again and let it steep for 10–20 seconds. Pour the tea into a fairness pitcher (gong dao bei) to ensure an even taste, then pour from the pitcher into small tasting cups (pin ming bei) to enjoy. Repeat this cycle for each infusion.
Do I have to use a gaiwan to brew puerh tea?
To fully appreciate the taste and aroma of puerh tea, we strongly recommend using a traditional set that includes a gaiwan, a fairness pitcher, and tasting cups. Portable gaiwan sets are also available in our store.
If you don't have a gaiwan or traditional teaware, there are alternatives:
When brewing loose puerh tea, you can control the amount of leaves. Try using just 3–5 grams, add hot water directly into a regular glass or mug, steep for 2–3 minutes, and wait for the leaves to settle before drinking.
When brewing puerh tea in Dragon Ball form (about 8g per ball), the brew may become too strong for direct steeping in a glass. In this case, use a larger container to brew the tea, then pour it into a smaller cup for drinking. This method simulates brewing with a gaiwan.
What are the particles or specks I see in Puerh tea liquor?
These are usually small tea leaf fragments that naturally result from slight breakage during hand-rolling, a common part of traditional tea processing.
These particles are harmless and do not affect the quality of the tea. If you prefer a clearer cup, simply discard the final drops of the brew.
What is the thin white layer floating on top of ripe Puerh tea?
That soft white film is known as "tea mist" or "cha yun". It's a natural phenomenon that often appears on well-aged ripe Puerh tea.
It's formed by tea oils and micro-substances released during brewing and is generally considered a sign of quality rather than a flaw.
Store tea
How should I store puerh tea?
Store in a cool, dry, odor-free place with good airflow. Avoid airtight containers for raw puerh; use breathable packaging. puerh tea can improve with age if stored properly.
Does puerh tea expire?
Puerh tea doesn't expire in the traditional sense. In fact, many raw puerh teas are intentionally aged for years or decades. Proper storage is key to quality over time.
Is aged puerh better?
Not always, it depends on your taste preference. Some people love the smooth and mellow flavor of well-aged puerh, while others enjoy the freshness of younger tea.
Order tea
Where do you ship?
We currently ship to the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.
What payment methods do you accept?
We currently only accept PayPal for all purchases.
*Why are prices always shown in USD?
Our store currently supports checkout in USD. If you’re shopping from outside the U.S., don’t worry-your payment will be automatically converted to your local currency by PayPal or your credit card provider during checkout.
Do you offer free shipping？
All of our products are shipped from China using faster air express services. Shipping fees increase progressively based on the weight or volume of the package, so we generally do not offer free shipping by default.
If a free shipping promotion is available, it will be displayed on our website or you will be notified.
How long will it take to receive my order?
Under normal circumstances, most areas in the above countries will receive orders within 10–15 days after purchase.
How can I track my order?
Once your order is fulfilled, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with a tracking number and an estimated delivery date.
Return tea
Can I return it and how to return it?
We offer compensation, replacement, or a refund depending on the situation, please review our full return policy.