Our clinic’s signature sheng puerh with a beautiful statue carved by our friends in Assi Ghat
By Dr. Adam Okerblom
At Ritual Health, drinking tea is part of our lifestyle and our clinical practice. As most of our patients and friends can attest, we are particularly enthusiastic about our special line of puerh teas. We often invite our clinic guests and patients to join us for a taste of puerh in the afternoon after their acupuncture treatments.
This summer, Dr. Anne and I are connecting with one of our signature teas, our 2024 sheng puerh, called “Song”. This sheng puerh is perfectly suited for the Qi of summertime. Its light, fresh flavor, harmonizing the warm, dry weather of mid-summer (even here in the Bay Area!).
This tea is named “Song” after the symphonic sounds of the summer season, hence the cricket pictured on the front, which was rendered by our friend and artist Annie Rosenberg. “Song” is also a pun, a play on the name of one of the most influential dynasties in Chinese history in which neoconfucian ideas shaped political and private life and refined how Chinese medicine was practiced.
Song: Spring 2024 Sheng Puerh
Our “Song” sheng puerh comes from the famous, ancestral tea region of the Jingmai Mountain, ManJing Village in China. This young sheng puerh offers bright, vegetal notes with grassy, floral, and sometimes fruity characteristics, accompanied by a pronounced astringency that quickly gives way to a lingering sweetness.
Song puerh is young and a bit wild. Its flavors are strong and potent, like new sprouts in the early springtime. It is invigorating as well as soothing, with potent therapeutic actions.
As this tea ages over years and even decades, it will develop extraordinary complexity, richness, and depth. Aged sheng puerh can offer earthy, woody, and honey-sweet elements that deepen with maturity.
About Sheng Puerh
Sheng puerh, also known as raw or "green" puerh, has a cool, nourishing Qi quality. According to the principles of Chinese Medicine dietetics, sheng puerh helps to harmonize, moisten dryness, and tonify the Qi.
Sheng puerh is a living tea, thriving with diverse probiotics. It is harvested and produced only twice a year—in spring and autumn—when the tea leaves have the perfect quality and potency. It is processed using withering, roasting, and pressing techniques. The tea is alive with beneficial microorganisms that continue to transform the flavor profile over time. This transformation occurs through a fascinating natural fermentation process that creates beneficial probiotics and enzymes, making sheng puerh a living beverage that develops depth of character over time.
Research-Backed Health Benefits of Puerh Tea
Modern research links puerh tea with an impressive array of health benefits. Below are a few more reasons to make enjoying sheng puerh a regular part of our self-care regimen:
Cardiovascular Health and Cholesterol Management:
Research demonstrates that sheng puerh tea can significantly improve cholesterol profiles, reducing LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL cholesterol. A comprehensive study published in Nature showed that compounds in puerh tea work by modulating gut bacteria and bile acid metabolism, leading to improved lipid profiles and reduced cardiovascular risk.
Weight Management and Metabolic Support:
Multiple clinical studies have shown that regular consumption of puerh tea can support healthy weight management. The tea's unique combination of polyphenols and beneficial bacteria helps boost metabolism, improve fat oxidation, and prevent the absorption of dietary fats. In one study, participants consuming puerh tea extract experienced a 3% reduction in total body fat compared to the placebo group.
Digestive Health and Gut Microbiome:
The natural fermentation process creates a rich source of probiotics that support digestive health and promote a balanced gut microbiome. These beneficial bacteria not only aid digestion but also contribute to improved immune function and overall wellness.
Antioxidant Protection:
Sheng puerh is exceptionally rich in antioxidants, including polyphenols, catechins, and vitamin C, which help combat free radicals and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases. The antioxidant content is particularly high in young sheng puerh, providing powerful cellular protection.
Stress Reduction and Mental Clarity:
Despite containing caffeine, sheng puerh also contains L-theanine and GABA, compounds that promote relaxation and mental clarity without the jitters associated with coffee. This unique combination provides sustained energy and focus while supporting stress management.
Conclusion
The ancient Buddhists throughout Asia viewed drinking tea not merely as a culinary indulgence, but rather as an opportunity for self-reflection. When a student displayed behaviors associated with distraction or overthinking, the master would say, “Go drink tea!” They recognized the potential for a cup of tea to inspire self-awareness and a meditative calm state.
This summer, consider trying it! As always, we would love to see you in person at our clinic. Until then, we are toasting your health and wishing you a summer of fun, vitality, and…Song!