well.. I also am hearing for the first time.. I guess it must be a bit bitter tasting... however i am not sure abt it...

Although i'd also like to know more abt its health benefits ... How do you prepare it? What kind of sweetner is added?

Pu-erh is a fermented tea, named after Pu'er county in Yunnan, China. It is an unusual tea, because unlike other teas which are consumed shortly after production, it is often aged before consumption; it is not impossible to find pu-erh older than 20, 30, or even 50 years.

This is all I know

Pu-erh Teas are low in tannins and have a rich, unique earthy flavor and handles multiple steepings without losing flavor. According to scientific studies Pu-erh teas have many health benefits.
Pu-erh Tea is the perfect tea after a heavy meal, it helps relieve any indigestion and aids in the digestion of fatty foods. Pu-erh Tea cleanses the blood, lowers cholesterol and triglycerides, help with weight control and is also known to help a hangover or two.

Can some one post the perfect way to brew pureh tea??? I suffer a lot of digestion problems after every meal.. If this tea controls such problems then it would be great..!!!

I've seen a friend of mine brew it once. He boiled water for around 5 mins and added a few spices.... Then he added the tea leaves and allowed them to simmer for around 10 minutes before he served the tea.

The best way to brew pu-erh actually depends on the pu-erh that you are brewing.

Raw pu-erh, or "sheng",can get bitter if over-brewed, and it is often brewed for only a few seconds at a time.

Cooked pu-erh, or "shu" really does not get bitter, no matter how long you let them steep. I have tried many different types of shu and have tried to make them get bitter....I have tried everything from excessively breaking the leaves, to leaving them in the water overnight, and none of the shu that I have tried (and I have tried many) have ever gotten bitter from over-brewing.

Also, different pu-erh teas come from different factories, so almost every "brand" has a different taste. I have found a few that were a little too "earthy" for my taste, but for the most part, I have enjoyed them. I prefer shu because of the fact that I can throw some in my filter cup, throw in some stevia leaves, and go.....without fear of bitterness.

If you would like more information on pu-erh tea, you can go to www.pu-erh.net This site is a wealth of information for the person who has an interest in pu-erh tea.

Also, for plastic and glass cups that have a filter in the top so that the leaves don't get in your mouth, I shop at http://www.xiuxiantea.com/?refkey=x3s4z7k9w8