Tuocha is a tea that is compressed in a 'dome-shaped bowl' and most often made of pu erh tea leaves. However, the term is also often used for small pu erh tea compressed in any kind of shape.
The Chinese believe that the name tuocha originates from an old tea shipping and trading route of the Tuojiang River.
Tuo Cha Making Process
In making the Puer Tuocha, more mature leaves of the tea plant are selected in summer, sun-dried, steamed, and then shaped into small bowls. The process of shaping the leaves has changed over the years from old-style wooden molds or hand pressing to more mechanized and automated steps. The leaves are processed with a fair amount of moisture so as to allow a natural fermentation to occur and darken the leaves’ color. Some tea processors will let the leaves undergo this fermentation for a month to achieve the desired flavor. This style of puer is called the Wo-dui style, or cooked leaf style puer. Each bowl is wrapped in paper. They are an ideal size for individual servings.
Puer Tuocha is made from the large leaf ‘Da Ye’ tea plant varietal, better known as Camellia Sinensis ‘Assamica’. It is made at one of the few organic tea gardens in Yunnan. It can endure long steeping times without gaining any astringency and can be re-infused at least three times. Puer Tuocha is ideal for pairing with oily, savory foods. Some tea drinkers find this tea ideal for brewing in a vacuum thermos overnight, to be enjoyed in the morning.
Tuo Cha Health Benefits
1.Help for Weight Loss
Yunnan Tuocha Tea was proved to be an efficacious beverage with the functions of eliminating fat, reducing weight, strengthening body and lengthening longevity by specialists at a conference about Yunnan Tuocha tea held in Pairs. An experiment had been undertaken Professor Bernagageto of indoor Hospital in Keretayi of Henrylendo Medical College in Pairs through which by twenty patients suffering from hyperlipemia were given three cups of Yunnan Tuocha tea a day. After one month, all these patients lost a quarter of the blood-lipid respectively, while those drinking other kind of teas of the same quantity showed no change in their blood-lipid content.
2.Protecting the Heart
Recent research in the USA has indicated that properties found in Yunnan Tuocha tea may be protecting the heart. "The results were more dramatic than I anticipated," said Dr. Kenneth Mukamal, who led the study, which was published in May 2002 in the American Heart Association's journal, Circulation.
Tuo Cha Brewing Instructions
Recommended brewing method: To use Chinese Yixing clay (purple clay) or porcelain tea ware. Rinse tea cup and teapot with hot water. Use about 2 grams of tea leaves (1-2 teaspoons) for every 150ml of water. Steep tea leaves in hot water at 100°c (212°F) for 1 minute for the first and second brewing. Gradually increase steeping time for subsequent brewing.
Every tea is different and can be brewed in different ways. Steeping time may vary based on your personal taste or on how many infusions have already been done. Experiment with the brewing of your tea to discover its unique character. While mini tuocha can be steeped whole, most large tuocha are broken into pieces and only small amounts are steeped at a time.
How to Drink Pu Erh Tea for Weight Loss
Pu-erh tea is one of the favorites in the weight loss tea category because it has a number of properties that will help you lose weight more quickly and effectively.
Tea with Caffeine
Caffeine occurs naturally in tea. A mild stimulant, it accounts for tea’s reputation as a beverage that clears the mind and lifts the spirit.
Chinese Black Tea Benefits
Chinese black tea is often confused with red tea because black tea in America is something completely different. Chinese black tea can also be called fermented tea or more commonly known as dark tea.
