"Marlene Wood" wrote in message
...
"Unlike other varieties of tea, Pu-Erh Tea is traditionally made with
older leaves (not the first flush or budding leaves) from tall and old
trees. These trees are of a type only found in Yunnan Province, known as
broad leaf tea. The leaves are covered with fine hairs, are larger than
other tea leaves, and have a different chemical composition. The leaves
are then left green or moderately fermented before being dried. Often
times the tea is then formed into cakes or bricks, wrapped in paper or
pomello rinds, and stored outside exposed to moisture, air, and heat for
order to further mature. Then the tea is stored underground for several
years before taking on the darker, mellower characteristics that make
Pu'erh tea. This type of tea originated from the natural aging process
that happened along the ancient caravan routes, and the tea bricks were at
times used as a form of currency. The tea bricks developed a unique flavor
that was then refined by aficionados. One of the most expensive and rare
Pu'erh teas is made from the droppings of worms that eat stored Pu'erh
bricks."

http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Pu-erh_tea

Well, is it true? I don't see worm dropping puerh actually brewing into
tea, just sludge...


Hi Marlene,

This has been discussed at length and to much amusement on at least one
other tea list, there may be something on it in this one if you search under
pu pu puer or pu. Or poo poo. Also see Mike Petro's site
http://www.pu-erh.net/ and search for poo poo puerh.


Melinda