Editor
Assam's Pu'er Tea Steals the Limelight in India, Fetching Unmatched Price of Rs 9000/kg
India, known for its love of tea, has set a new record in the world of tea with the sale of Pu'er tea at an astonishing price of Rs 9000 per kilogram. Pu'er tea, a variety of fermented tea, is relatively unknown to Indian tea enthusiasts. The tea, named after the market town in China's Yunnan Province where it originated, is usually sold in the form of compact bricks made by pressing the tea leaves together.
There is a need to go beyond the usual black and green teas and explore different varieties like Pu'er." This unique tea undergoes a microbial fermentation process after the leaves have been dried and rolled, resulting in a distinct flavor profile as the leaves darken. Similar to the aging process of wine, this fermentation allows the flavor of the tea to develop over time.
To brew Pu'er tea, one can break off a small portion of the tea cake and steep it in boiling water for a short duration, typically ranging from 15 to 60 seconds. The tea leaves can be steeped multiple times, offering a unique flavor with each infusion.
In India, Pu'er tea is produced at the Gauripur Tea Plantation located in the Golaghat district of Assam. The plantation produces approximately 25 kilograms of Pu'er tea every month, contributing to the country's growing tea industry. However, to be considered authentic Pu'er, the leaves must come from the Camellia sinensis var. assamica plant, which is specifically grown in Yunnan Province, China. These leaves are then dried in the sun and allowed to ferment for extended periods, ranging from weeks to even decades.
Different types of Pu'er tea are available based on the production process. Maocha refers to green Pu'er leaves sold in loose form, which serve as the raw material for making pressed Pu'er. High-quality green Pu'er is highly sought after by collectors. Ripened or cooked Pu'er undergoes an accelerated fermentation process lasting around 45 to 60 days, resulting in a distinct flavor. Aged raw Pu'er, on the other hand, experiences a slow secondary oxidation and microbial fermentation process, further enhancing its flavor characteristics.
With India being the second-largest tea-producing nation globally and a significant consumer of tea, the introduction of Pu'er tea adds diversity to the country's tea market. As tea enthusiasts continue to explore and appreciate different varieties, Pu'er tea holds the potential to carve out its place among the preferences of Indian tea lovers.