Pu-Ehr tea was the preferred beverage taken for health reasons ever since the time of the Tang dynasty (618-905), in the Yunnan, Tibetan and Sechuan regions. Chinese literature of the 18th century refers indirectly to the large quantities of Quingmao tea bought and sold in Pu-Ehr, a trading town in the south-west province of Yunnan. The tea nowadays is known by the name of this town; even today the trade in this tea is an important source of income in the area.

In the mild climate and fertile soil of the area grows the Quingmao tree with its large egg-shaped leaves. These leaves are carefully dried, fermented and pressed using a special method.  The semi-fermented tea is, because of its dark red colour, also known as red tea. As distinct from other types of tea, Pu-Ehr tea can only fully develop its aroma and active ingredients after being stored and cured for a prolonged period. In many provinces of China the tea has been drunk every day by the whole family since ancient times, both as an every-day tea and for health reasons. It has a positive influence on many parts of the body. Zhao Xuemin, a famous doctor and pharmacist of the Quing dynasty, wrote about the tea as follows: "Like no other, it is an effective enemy of useless and deleterious fats. It supports both Ying and Yang and ensures, if drunk regularly, that a person will live a long and healthy life."

Taken regularly, Pu-Ehr tea can lower an excessively high cholesterol and/or puric acid level, stimulate metabolic processes in the liver and purify the system. Pu-Ehr tea can make a useful contribution in breaking down fat and controlling body weight. When following any special or slimming diet, Pu-Ehr tea should be the preferred beverage.

The tea has a very earthy taste. It can be drunk during, or better still, after the meal, both hot and cold. When following a slimming diet, it is recommended that three to five large mugs of Pu-Ehr tea are drunk every day in addition to one-and-one-half litres of mineral water with a low natrium content. Depending on the quality of the tea, the leaves can be steeped in hot water up to four times.

If this is all too laborious, you can simplify matters by taking Pu-Ehr tea capsules, available nowadays as a dietary supplement.