On 24 Dec 2005 00:08:56 -0800, "psychopuncture"
> wrote:

>As I understand it, the difference is a matter of quality, not
>necessity--sun-dried is more highly prized than puerh that's been dried
>"artificially" (in both cases, we're still talking about uncooked or
>"sheng" puerh, not cooked puerh, which is an entirely different thing).
>
>Hope that helps.

Collective wisdom from those I have spoken with basically says that
the sun dried process ages much better than other methods. These other
methods are fine for tea you intend to drink in the near-term future,
however if you intend to sit on the tea for 20-30 years then you are
well advised to select a sun dried type.

Telling the difference is the challenge.

Mike Petro
http://www.pu-erh.net