Those familiar with Pu'er Tea know the principle that the older it is, the better it tastes. While fresh tea is generally considered valuable, Pu'er tea is an exception, as aged tea is more prized. Freshly made Pu'er tea has a strong fiery quality and astringent taste, along with a pungent grassy flavor, which requires aging before consumption. So, how long should Pu'er tea age to be enjoyable? Let's find out together!

How Long Should Pu'er Tea Age Before It Tastes Good?

The ideal aging period for Pu'er tea—1 year, 5 years, 10 years…ultimately depends on personal preference in taste. Some may enjoy the freshness and high aroma of new tea, while others prefer the mellow flavor of aged tea. What are the key periods not to miss for those who love drinking Pu'er tea?

1. New Tea Period: About three months after being pressed into Compressed tea.

Some might wonder, “I prefer aged tea, so why am I being recommended to drink new tea? Does this person even understand tea?”

The reason for drinking new tea is quite simple: “Know its origin!” New tea has distinct characteristics, making its quality evident. By tasting new tea, you can experience its freshness and personally select a tea that suits your taste and ensures quality for future aging and transformation. You can also observe changes in taste during different stages of storage.

2. After One Year:

At this stage, the tea's transformation is akin to a child passing through their rebellious phase.

After one year of storage, the tea loses its moisture, and its internal qualities slowly settle over time. The tea's nature transitions from the coldness of the new tea period to a gentler state. The taste becomes more stable, and when brewed, you will notice a richer and fuller texture, with an increasing sense of thickness and a gradual move towards a smoother and more mellow flavor.

3. After Five Years:

At this point, the tea's transformation resembles someone entering society and becoming more polished. After five years of storage, the initial floral and honey aromas fade, giving way to aged scents like fruit and more. Time leaves its mark on the tea, making the nature gentler and the taste richer, fuller, and smoother. The aged tea exhibits distinct flavors of depth, concentration, aroma, and Sweetness, each with its own unique charm.

4. After Ten Years:

At this stage, the tea, much like a person who has experienced life's ups and downs, remains calm in the face of challenges. Over time, the aroma intensifies, transitioning to orange-red or dark red hues. The tea's nature becomes increasingly gentle and thick, smooth, profound, and full of qi, revealing an incredibly impressive and enchanting flavor.

5. After Twenty Years:

Pu'er tea at this stage is “rare and hard to come by.” The aroma is of precious medicinal Herbs, camphor, ginseng, and more, with a rich and smooth taste and a deep and lasting aroma.

Storing tea is a continuous process of discovering pleasant surprises. In addition to these specific periods, we can Brew some tea every year to experience the changes in taste at different stages. During the transformation process, there may be awkward phases. If you encounter such a phase when brewing, take a break and return to tasting after a while.