Green Tea
package: 8"x3 1/2"
6 ounces
purchased in Kowloon, Hong Kong

Labeled by some as the "miracle tea" and as having anti-aging properties, Pu-Erh or Bo Lei tea is scientifically documented as lowering cholesterol and in that respect is often recommended after a heavy meal. When I went to buy Pu-Erh I was totally unaware that it was such a "loaded" tea. So many issues, even the classification of the tea is dual, there are both raw/green (sheng) and ripened/cooked (shou) forms. The tea originally comes from Yunnan, China and is a long leaf tea; therefore often packed and sold in cakes, bricks and other forms. This means it can be easily stored and transported. There is a huge market in aged Pu-erh, similar to the vintage wine market. Cakes 50 years+ old can be found and go for $1,000 and up. Although I was intrigued with such an expensive cup of tea I realized I could own the best tea but I likely would brew it wrong. Instead we wound up getting a very good quality Pu-Erh in a non-cake form so it is easy to use. Between spending my time learning about the tea, it goes on and on, and practicing brewing I try to do the bookkeeping for KIOSK. The tea should be rinsed twice and is considered the only tea you can store for a long period of time.