Raw pu'er is generally best consumed after being stored for a year, which improves its taste and contributes to bodily health. Pu'er Tea is a common type of tea, with raw pu'er referring to freshly made tea. Immediately after production, this tea has a strong stimulating quality that can feel quite intense when drinking it, leaving a fresh taste in the mouth that doesn't offer particularly high value for savoring. After making raw pu'er, it's best to store it for about a year. During storage, the inner qualities of the raw pu'er transform, making the tea's taste smoother and its aroma more fragrant. After a year of storage, raw pu'er should be brewed with boiling water, as the wateriness begins to fade, and the texture changes gradually, becoming more settled. When drinking, the taste becomes milder and richer. To truly appreciate the bitterness of raw pu'er, it can be stored for over 10 years, at which point its aroma, taste, and flavor reach their optimal state.
How Long Is Best to Store Raw Pu'er
When raw pu'er is first made, its properties are most stimulating, giving a very potent feeling. The taste is fresh and full-bodied, with an aroma that fills the air. At this time, the raw pu'er is both the freshest and strongest, but not highly valuable for savoring. It is better to continue storing it so that its inner qualities can transform.
After storing raw pu'er for a year, the wateriness starts to fade, and the inner qualities begin to settle. The taste slowly becomes warmer, and the rich flavor gradually intensifies. At this point, the advantages of raw pu'er start to become apparent, allowing one to experience its taste well.
1. Raw pu'er tea is generally best consumed after being stored for 12 to 15 years, since pu'er tea does not have a specific expiration date and can be stored long-term if properly preserved; 2. Raw pu'er tea stored for over 10 years will have a higher taste and value.
After seven years of aging, raw pu'er develops a matured flavor, and its aroma transforms into countless possibilities over time. For example, the original floral fragrance might turn into a fruity honey scent, or the aroma might become more intense if it was previously weaker. The fun of storing tea comes from the unexpected surprises it brings periodically. After seven years, the tea's nature turns warm, and its stomach-nourishing effects become significantly more noticeable.
For pu'er tea stored for 20 years or more, the aroma is rich and the flavor thick and smooth, which is quite rare and highly sought after by many seasoned tea enthusiasts. Of course, the specific storage duration depends on personal taste. With each passing year, you'll discover differences in a particular pu'er. Each year and at different times, you can experience its flavors and enjoy the surprises it brings at every stage.
How Best to Store Raw Pu'er Tea
1. Storage Temperature: Raw pu'er tea needs to be stored in a low-temperature environment, ideally below 10°C. It can be kept in a refrigerator's crisper drawer or a dedicated tea storage room.
2. Storage Humidity: Raw pu'er tea should be stored in an environment with relatively low humidity, typically around 50% to 60%. High humidity can soften the tea and cause mold growth, affecting the quality and taste of the tea.
3. Storage Container: Raw pu'er tea should be placed in a dry, breathable, and odorless Ceramic jar, tin box, or sealed bag. Avoid using plastic bags or containers with odors, as these can adversely affect the tea.
4. Protection from Light: Raw pu'er tea should be protected from direct sunlight and stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area, avoiding any exposure to strong light.
5. In summary, raw pu'er tea is a type of tea that requires special storage conditions, including a low-temperature, dry, and well-ventilated environment, while avoiding direct sunlight and excessive humidity. It's also important to choose suitable tea jars or containers to maintain the freshness and unique taste of the tea.