Pu'er Tea becomes more fragrant with age, and its value increases over time. The storage and maturation of Pu'er tea is actually a slow process of post-fermentation.

Many of us do not have dedicated spaces to store tea, but compared to other types of tea, the storage of Pu'er tea is relatively simple. Whether in an office or at home, as long as certain conditions are met, it can be easily stored.

The substances in tea react very weakly with oxygen and moisture in the air, and changes in flavor can only be perceived over years. So how should Pu'er tea be stored?

Circulating Air

Circulating air contains more oxygen, which is beneficial for the proliferation of some microorganisms in the tea, thus accelerating its transformation.

However, Pu'er tea should not be hung on a balcony. If placed there, the tea's aroma and flavor will be blown away, resulting in a tasteless drink.

Therefore, there should be moderately circulating air, but it should not be placed directly in a draft. Additionally, make sure the surrounding environment has no odors, as tea can absorb them and change its flavor. Therefore, it should not be stored in environments with household or industrial odors, such as kitchens.

Suitable Temperature and Humidity

The transformation of Pu'er tea is a biochemical process that requires a certain temperature and humidity. The ideal environment for storing Pu'er tea is one with constant temperature and humidity.

However, achieving such an ideal storage environment at home is practically impossible, as it is difficult to create a consistently controlled environment. Moreover, it is unnecessary to do so. It is sufficient to ensure a relatively suitable environment.

The key point here is that the temperature and humidity should be similar to what is comfortable for humans. Generally, people feel most comfortable at temperatures between 20°C and 30°C (68°F and 86°F), with relative humidity around 50% to 60%. These conditions are also suitable for Pu'er tea.

In drier environments, attention should be paid to maintaining appropriate humidity. If it is too dry, Pu'er tea (especially raw tea) may enter a dormant state, hindering its maturation. A humidifier can be used to increase air humidity when needed.

Tips for Storing Pu'er Tea

Dry and Ventilated

In a dry and ventilated environment, circulating air contains more oxygen, which is beneficial for the proliferation of some microorganisms in the tea, thus accelerating its transformation. There should be moderately circulating air, but it should not be placed directly in a draft.

Odor-Free Environment

All teas are highly susceptible to absorbing other odors. Sometimes tea is even used to remove odors in households. Since Pu'er tea is typically not sealed during storage, it is particularly prone to absorbing other odors. One important aspect of storing Pu'er tea is to prevent it from absorbing household odors.

Every household has various household odors, such as cooking and dining fumes, smells from cleaning products, and toxic gases released by furniture. If possible, set aside a dedicated room for storing tea. If not, at least keep the Pu'er tea separate from other odors.

Minimize Direct Sunlight Exposure

The indoor temperature should be normal, neither too high nor too low. Generally, Pu'er tea changes faster in spring, summer, and autumn than in winter. It should not be exposed to direct sunlight; a shady area is better.

Avoid Moist Environments

High-quality Pu'er tea emphasizes “dry storage,” meaning it should be stored in a dry environment, avoiding moisture. Excessively moist environments can cause rapid changes in Pu'er tea cakes, often leading to mold that makes the tea undrinkable. While overly dry environments can slow down the maturation process, for carved tea sculptures, we often prioritize aesthetics, allowing them to transform slowly. As long as the environment is not damp, it meets the requirements for storage.

Actually, Pu'er tea stored naturally in different places shows different directions of maturation.

In Kunming, Shanghai, Dongguan, and Hong Kong, there are many people who enjoy drinking Pu'er tea. They have found that due to differences in environmental temperature and humidity, the same type of tea can develop different flavors after several years of storage in these four locations.

Gradually, some began to study how to artificially control the direction of Pu'er tea maturation to achieve desired qualities. This field of study has become increasingly detailed and sophisticated, encompassing research into maturation direction, tea origin (production areas), tea production techniques, and more.

Therefore, before collecting Pu'er tea, it is necessary to put in some effort to gain comprehensive information, which will then enable more accurate judgments and identification skills.