Does Pu erh tea contain EGCG?

Does Pu erh tea contain EGCG?

As tea lovers, it is essential to know what our favorite beverages contain. In this article, we examine whether Pu erh tea contains the healthy compound EGCG.

What is EGCG?

EGCG, fully known as epigallocatechin gallate, is a powerful antioxidant found in green tea. It is known for its many health benefits and is one of the main reasons why green tea is praised for its health properties^[1].

Pu erh tea versus green tea

Pu erh tea is a fermented black tea, unlike green tea, which is not fermented. The fermentation process of Pu erh can change the composition of the tea. Although Pu erh has many healthy properties, it does not have the same high levels of EGCG as green tea^[2].

Conclusion

Although Pu erh tea has many health benefits, it does not contain the same high levels of EGCG as green tea. If you are looking for a tea rich in EGCG, green tea is the better choice.

Hugs,

Admar

Footnotes

1. Singh, B. N., Shankar, S., & Srivastava, R. K. (2011). Green tea catechin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG): mechanisms, perspectives and clinical applications. Biochemical pharmacology, 82(12), 1807-1821.
2. Liu, T., Zhou, G., Du, M., Zhang, X., Zhou, S., Chen, G., ... & Wang, J. (2023). The interplay between (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and Aspergillus niger RAF106, an EGCG-biotransforming fungus derived from Pu-erh tea. LWT, 180, 114678.