Pouchong
Pouchong ( Chinese 包 種茶 , Pinyin bāozhòng ) is a lightly fermented tea (about 30%). In terms of the degree of fermentation, it is between green tea (practically unfermented) and oolong (which is not completely fermented).
Growing areas
Pouchong is mainly produced in Fujian and Taiwan .
Fujian : Pouchong tea is originally from Anxi, Fujian. It is still grown there today. Xi Cheng Wang, from Fujian, grew Anxi tea there around 1850 using the Wuyiyan tea cultivation method. After picking the leaves, he folded them into rectangular shapes. The leaves were then wrapped in rectangular Fujian bamboo paper. This is how the name came about, which means something like "bag tea".
Taiwan : In Taiwan, it is mainly grown in the north. A well-known growing area that produces high quality tea is Wenshan (文山) in Pingling, where the tea grows on an area of 2300 ha at 400 meters above sea level. Dongdingshan (冻 顶 山) is another well-known growing area in southern Taiwan. Here the tea is grown at 1000 to 1800 meters above sea level.
processing
Green tea is treated with steam soon after picking and must not oxidize. This preserves antioxidants and other nutrients. Oolong, on the other hand, is more or less oxidized depending on the variety. With pouchong tea, the tea is easily oxidized (typically 10–20%) through a particularly slow drying process. After the leaves have been picked, they are left to wither in the sun for a few hours to reduce their moisture content. Then, when sufficient softness has been achieved, the leaves are carefully rolled together with a light roasting process. Due to the slight oxidation, the green color of the leaves remains strong. Due to the special drying process, Pouchong retains the many health benefits of green tea on the one hand, but also offers some of the metabolic effects of oolong tea on the other.
Taste and appearance
It has a flowery taste, a creamy and sweet consistency and a fragrant finish. The leaves resemble a twisted string, their color is green, after the infusion the tea has a honey-green color.
application
Pouchong strengthens the heart, has a diuretic effect, counteracts tiredness, relieves nicotine and alcohol addiction and prevents hardening of the arteries.
