Which containers are suitable for storing Pu'er Tea? What details should be paid attention to?

① Purple Clay Containers: Purple clay utensils have always been used in conjunction with tea. Typically, the best Teaware for brewing tea is purple clay. The key reason is that purple clay containers have excellent breathability, ensuring the oxygen needed for aging. However, modern purple clay containers can be quite expensive. Terracotta pots can be used as an alternative, which are much cheaper than purple clay containers, although their effect is slightly inferior. This is sufficient for ordinary collectors.

For loose tea, if you want to store Pu'er loose tea for a long time, then a purple clay container is still the best choice. When using these containers, one very important point is that newly purchased containers must be cleaned to remove any contaminants from the container itself. This can be done by repeatedly cleaning with fresh and hot water or using some low-grade tea to boil water for cleaning. After cleaning, allow it to dry. After placing the tea inside, you can also add some bamboo charcoal, and then place the tea.

② Corrugated Cardboard Boxes: For ordinary tea enthusiasts, we can choose more economical tools for storing tea, after all, tea is a daily beverage, and reducing costs is also important. Corrugated cardboard boxes are another good option. Although storing tea in a cardboard box does not have as many advantages as a purple clay container, its advantages are still very obvious. Firstly, cardboard boxes are easy to obtain and free, and secondly, they also have the characteristic of ventilation and breathability.

When using cardboard boxes to store Pu'er tea, pay attention to any peculiar smell of the box itself. Therefore, when you get the cardboard box, you need to understand clearly what it was originally used for. If there is an odd smell, it's best to let it sit for a while until the smell dissipates before use. If it's a larger cardboard box, it is recommended to only store Compressed tea, and store the tea in the box in whole bundles without breaking them apart.

From personal experience, you can buy or customize corrugated cardboard boxes of suitable and uniform sizes online. Each box can hold a cake of tea, with the name written on a label on the box, making it clear at a glance. Small holes can also be drilled in the sides of the boxes to facilitate ventilation. The boxes can be neatly stacked on shelves. Regardless of whether they have been opened or not, they can be placed in boxes, so your home won't look cluttered.

Details Decide Success or Failure

① Store raw cakes and ripe cakes separately. The storage methods for loose tea should differ according to whether they are processed as raw or ripe tea.

② New Pu'er tea should not be immediately stored in a container upon purchase; it should be allowed to breathe a little. If new Pu'er tea has a heavy warehouse smell, it can first be placed in a ventilated area until the warehouse smell dissipates before being stored. For compressed Pu'er tea with a slight warehouse smell, the outer bamboo sheath can be removed and the cakes stored individually, or the outer packaging paper can be torn off before storage. If there is no warehouse smell, the outer bamboo sheath can be wrapped with Xuan paper, cotton paper, or kraft paper before storage. These wrapping papers have a regulating effect and can block excessive moisture from the outside.

③ For teas intended for long-term storage, if you choose to store them in cardboard boxes, handle them before placing them in the box. If the Pu'er tea is purchased in bulk, then storage is simple, keeping it in the original bulk packaging. For compressed seven-cake bricks, tighten the wire or tie with fine rope to prevent loosening over time, which could lead to dampness or loss of aroma. It is best to wrap them in kraft paper bags. Individual cakes can also be wrapped in cotton paper. If it's a whole case of compressed tea, just check if there is plastic inside; if so, remove it.

④ Routine Maintenance. One important aspect of enjoyment is watching your collection change over time, so regularly tasting the tea is the only method to check its progress. Only by tasting will you know the extent of its transformation, so it's important to develop the habit of regular checks. In addition to checking the degree of transformation, also check for mold or insects. If either is present, deal with it promptly to avoid a situation becoming too severe to remedy.

⑤ Keep Records of Stored Tea. Many people, after buying tea, simply store it and neglect to keep records. Over time, they forget about it. Years later, when they rediscover the tea, they might not remember its origin or when they started collecting it. For each tea product, make a label or mark the packaging. It is recommended to keep a record book of your collected teas. Record the production date, purchase date, etc. Enjoying Pu'er tea is actually a refined pleasure. To fully experience the wonders of good Pu'er tea, it is crucial to store it in a reasonable and scientific manner. By learning how to scientifically store Pu'er tea, your Pu'er tea can truly exhibit its beneficial nature for both yourself and others. (Source: Laipucha, Image Source: ChaYou Network)