15th Ave Coffee & Tea

As we wish farewell to our 15th Ave. Coffee & Tea supervisor, Matty, upon his return to his home in Boston, I thought I’d post on another one of our wonderful teas and a favorite of Matty’s, Yunnan Pu-Erh. Whether it be on one of those evenings spent beside the fire, filled with the sound of Seattle’s infamous rain pounding on the roof, or on a morning characterized by the particular need for a caffeine fix, Yunnan Pu-Erh is the full-bodied, no-nonsense tea you’re looking for. Rich in an earthy, woody aroma and a dark-brown color, Pu-Erh is a black tea that holds its own next to many coffees.

Yunnan, the tea’s namesake, is the region in China responsible for the majority of Pu-Erh tea production. While the cultivation of tea is common across the entire Yunnan region, the mountains known as the “Six Famous Tea Mountains” provide the most optimal conditions for the harvesting of Pu-Erh tea.

Several hundred years ago, during the Qing dynasty, Yunnan Pu-Erh tea was being cultivated and sent  long distances to Tibet and Northern China. On a trail known as the “Old Tea and Horse Way”, the journey would last through spring, summer and autumn, during which the atmospheric conditions would range from warm to cold and dry to humid. Upon the tea’s arrival in Northern China and Tibet, the merchants would taste the tea and observe that the flavor was notably superior to that which had been tasted before this long journey. Tea merchants then began experimenting to find a way in which the unique flavor of this tea could be achieved without having to spend a year or two strapped to the back of a horse and, eventually, a special method was created for processing Yunnan Pu-Erh tea.

The tea was subjected to dry air followed by wet air and it was soon apparent that the effects were the same as those that had so favorably affected the flavor after over a year on horse-back. Furthermore, it was also discovered that the longer the Tea had been aged, the better its flavor. Like vintage wines, Yunnan Pu-Erh can be consumed, not only immediately after harvesting, but after having been aged for years. As a result, many Pu-Erh teas are classified by both their year and region of production.

Ranging from orchid and lily to camphor wood and palm, of the flavor characteristics that can classify a quality Pu-Erh, the variety that you’ll find in 15th Avenue Coffee & Tea (from an April 2008 harvest) embodies a deep woody flavor with a natural sweetness and a full, syrupy body. If you’re one to enjoy your tea with cream and sugar, you’ll find Yunnan Pu-Erh to pair with these additions just like your favorite English Breakfast Tea. Though, unlike many black teas, Yunnan Pu-Erh lacks the high astringency that begs additional condiments.

So on the next occasion you find yourself curled up on the couch with a new book or perhaps joining our Tuesday night French Conversation group, be sure to try a pot of our Yunnan Pu-Erh and notice the distinct subtleties that result from the unique and careful process conducted to produce this fine tea. Additionally, whatever the occasion may be, remember to think of Matty and wish him the best on his life in Boston!

For another tea recommendation, check out my blog post below on our Bai Hao (Oriental Beauty) Oolong. As always, I’d love to hear from you in a comment if you’ve any questions about our coffees and teas!

-Amanda