The contrast between raw and cooked Pu-erh tea is far from subtle. These two varieties display distinct differences in their looks, flavors, and health benefits. Here’s a closer examination.
Diversely Distinguished in Appearance
The first noticeable difference is the color. Raw Pu-erh, and tea cakes derived from it, primarily exhibit shades of green and dark green. Some may transition towards a yellow-red hue, and white often indicates the presence of tea buds.
Cooked Pu-erh tea cakes, on the other hand, are usually black or reddish-brown. Bud teas can be dark golden-yellow, emitting a potent smell akin to mustiness. Those with lighter fermentation exude a longan-like aroma, while heavily fermented ones smell of damp straw mats.
Variety in Flavor Profile
The taste of raw Pu-erh is robust, replete with a rich, full-bodied tea essence. The brew is aromatic, bitter, and astringent. However, high-quality tea transitions from bitter to sweet, and astringency is an indicator of health benefits. If bitterness persists, the tea is likely of inferior quality or not Pu-erh at all. Raw Pu-erh is typically refreshing, sweet, and smooth on the palate.
Cooked Pu-erh, conversely, is thick, sweet, and not overly bitter (unless it is semi-cooked). It has a unique flavor profile with a slightly watered-down taste. Lower-quality cooked Pu-erh has a pronounced ripe flavor and undesirable off-flavors, which diminish over time, leaving a dry taste without a noticeable sweet aftertaste.
Distinctive Tea Soup and Leaves
Raw Pu-erh is intense! Upon brewing, the leaves appear soft, fresh, elastic, and teeming with life! Even antique tea, after long storage, exudes vitality, energy, and natural allure. The tea soup of raw Pu-erh is clear, bright, transparent, and lucid.
Cooked Pu-erh shows a stark contrast. Post-brewing leaves are dry, dark, and lack the vitality seen in raw Pu-erh. If the aged tea is excessively damp, the leaves might resemble moldy cloth remnants. Inferior cooked Pu-erh tea soup is dark, murky, and even black in some cases.
Impressive Health Benefits Contrast
Raw Pu-erh is a powerhouse of tea polyphenols, making it an excellent beverage for cancer prevention. Drinking raw Pu-erh during the day provides a refreshing, purifying effect on the body and mind, and its ability to thin blood vessels is notable. However, it’s advisable not to overconsume, as it can upset the stomach.
Raw Pu-erh also aids in weight loss! After mild fermentation, cooked Pu-erh develops numerous beneficial bacteria for the human body. According to traditional Chinese medicine, cooked foods are generally warming, making cooked Pu-erh an ideal tea for women.
