Pu'er tea is the pride of Yunnan, China, and is also a hot topic in tea culture.
In the circle of tea lovers, "drink raw tea instead of cooked tea" is often a hot topic.
This sentence sounds like a preference or a secret of tea ceremony, but there are many unknown stories behind it.
The essential difference between raw tea and cooked tea
Pu'er tea is divided into raw tea and cooked tea according to different production processes.
Raw tea: Made from Yunnan large-leaf sun-dried green tea, it is made after natural aging without artificial fermentation. Its tea nature is cold, the taste is refreshing and sweet, the aroma is high, and it is slightly bitter but sweet.
Cooked tea: After fermentation, the tea nature is mild, the soup feels thick, and it has a unique "aged fragrance", which is very suitable for warming the stomach and nourishing the body. From appearance, aroma to taste, the difference between raw and cooked tea is very obvious. Some people say that raw tea is like a young boy, vigorous but sharp; while cooked tea is like a mature wise man, warm and honest.
Why "drink raw tea instead of cooked tea"?
The saying "drink raw tea instead of cooked tea" is not an absolute rule, but more of a traditional concept and a choice under specific circumstances.
The following reasons may reveal the mystery:
1. Raw tea is more layered with sweetness and salivation.
Because raw tea is not fermented, it retains the rich polyphenols in tea. Although it tastes bitter, it can quickly return to sweetness, with a strong sense of salivation and a long throat after drinking. This unique taste change makes many tea lovers obsessed with the taste level of raw tea.
2. The older it is, the more fragrant it is. Raw tea has collection value.
Raw tea is known as "drinkable antiques". As time goes by, the taste of raw tea will become more mellow, the bitterness will be reduced, and the aroma will become more intense. In contrast, the transformation speed of cooked tea is faster, and the flavor is basically stable after more than ten years. Raw tea can gradually show amazing changes as the aging years increase.
3. Traditional cognition prefers raw tea
In the history of Pu'er tea development, raw tea entered people's vision earlier. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Pu'er tea was circulated as tribute tea in the form of raw tea. The birth of cooked tea was later, and it did not appear until the 1970s due to market demand. Therefore, many senior tea lovers have a deep-rooted preference for raw tea.
4. Controversy over health attributes
Raw tea is rich in polyphenols and has strong antioxidant effects. It is believed to clear away heat and detoxify and help digestion; while cooked tea generates more microorganisms during the fermentation process and is more friendly to the gastrointestinal tract. However, for a long time, people have been more respectful of the naturalness of raw tea, believing that it is "original" and healthier than cooked tea.
Scenarios suitable for raw tea
Although the saying "drink raw instead of cooked" is widely circulated, raw tea is not suitable for everyone or all scenarios. The following situations are more suitable for drinking raw tea:
1. Young people or people with hot constitutions
Raw tea is cold in nature and is suitable for people with hot constitutions or who like to eat spicy food. Its heat-clearing effect can help balance the body's heat.
2. Pursuing a refreshing taste
In the hot summer or in the busy work interval, brewing a pot of refreshing raw tea can not only relieve the heat, but also refresh the mind, which is a unique enjoyment.
3. Pay attention to tea collection
If you like to collect tea and observe its changes, raw tea is undoubtedly a better choice. Its value will increase over time.
Roasted tea should not be underestimated
Although "drink raw tea instead of cooked tea" is widely circulated, the value of cooked tea should not be ignored. Especially for the following people, cooked tea is indispensable:
1. People with weak stomachs
Roasted tea is mild in nature and has the effect of nourishing and protecting the stomach. For people with weak stomachs or cold constitutions, drinking cooked tea is more suitable.
2. Cold seasons
In winter, the warm taste of cooked tea can drive away the cold and warm the body, bringing a sense of comfort to the whole body.
3. Beginner tea lovers
Cooked tea is more mellow and smooth, and is more acceptable than the bitterness of raw tea. It is a good choice for friends who are new to Pu'er tea.
How to choose raw and cooked tea correctly?
For Pu'er tea lovers, it is important to understand your constitution, tea drinking habits and environment. Here are a few tips:
1. Choose according to constitution
If you have a cold constitution or sensitive stomach, cooked tea is more suitable for daily drinking; tea lovers with a hot constitution or who like a refreshing taste can choose raw tea.
2. Choose according to the scene
In summer or when you need to refresh yourself, raw tea is a good choice; in winter or when you need to nourish your stomach, you can drink more cooked tea.
3. Try tea of different years
Whether it is raw tea or cooked tea, different years will bring different flavors. Try to taste fresh tea, old raw tea, new cooked tea and aged cooked tea, and feel the rich changes of Pu'er tea.
There is no "right or wrong", only "suitable"
Although the saying "drink raw tea instead of cooked tea" has its historical and cultural background, it does not mean that cooked tea is useless. The charm of Pu'er tea lies in its diversity and inclusiveness. Each piece of tea has its unique flavor. Whether you like raw tea or cooked tea, as long as you choose the right tea for yourself, you are enjoying the beauty of tea culture.
So, instead of worrying about the difference between raw and cooked tea, it is better to taste tea quietly and feel the taste and charm of the tea soup. After all, the meaning of tea ceremony is to find your own cup of tea.
