There are two different ways Pu'er tea can be classified: dark (shu) and raw (sheng).

Raw Pu’er is naturally fermented and in its younger phase it is sweet and clean, reminiscent of a green or light oolong tea, but with more body and vigor. With time, the tea is transformed into a dark, rich, smooth, and earthy brew. Raw pu’er tea cakes are a great option for tea collectors because they age beautifully.

Dark Pu’er cakes are aged in a special chamber that speeds up the fermentation process, simulating the process that naturally occurs over time with raw pu’er. This lets you enjoy pu’er tea as if it were decades old. While you can continue to age dark pu’er tea at home, you will not notice such a dramatic effect as with the raw pu’er. Dark pu’er makes a deep, dark, smooth, earthy brew, that’s unlike any other tea.

Whether raw or dark, pu’er tea is naturally digestive and has some incredible health benefits.