Some Tea enthusiasts pay meticulous attention to selecting the right ingredients and ensuring high-quality tea, often going to great lengths. However, when it comes to storing the tea, they tend to be rather casual. They might simply seal their purchased tea in a plastic bag, thinking that everything is taken care of.

Little do they know that for Pu'er tea, such an approach can be somewhat misplaced. It's important to understand that to awaken the third life of Pu'er tea, choosing the right tea is just the first step. Equally crucial is properly storing the tea and doing so correctly.

Should Pu'er tea be sealed in a plastic bag for storage?

1. Pu'er tea should not be stored in a plastic bag, as Pu'er tea is a post-fermentation tea that needs to be kept in a breathable container or bag to continue its aging process. A sealed environment like a plastic bag would inhibit the activity of enzymes in the tea, preventing the desired transformation of the Pu'er tea.

2. Therefore, it is common to store Pu'er tea in Yixing clay pots or earthenware jars. These materials have excellent breathability, allowing whole tea cakes or opened cakes to be stored conveniently while also providing a natural awakening process for the aged tea.

How to store Pu'er tea

Proper storage of Pu'er tea should consider factors such as temperature, humidity, cleanliness, dampness, odors, and direct sunlight. Addressing these issues during storage will ensure the normal transformation of Pu'er tea, achieving the goal of becoming “better with age.”

It is recommended to store raw and ripe teas, as well as new and aged teas separately to avoid cross-contamination. Tea should also be stored away from walls and floors, and regular checks should be performed.