The storage of Pu'er Tea differs fundamentally from that of other teas. For most teas, the goal is to maintain “freshness” to prevent oxidation, with “preservation” being the primary objective for all measures taken.

  Maintaining appropriate temperature and humidity is essential for the “aging” of Pu'er tea. It is well known that microorganisms require specific temperature and humidity conditions to thrive and reproduce rapidly. The “aging” process of Pu'er tea is essentially an “oxidation” process. The activity of tea polyphenol oxidase increases with rising temperatures within the range of 20–40°C, but beyond this range, enzyme activity decreases as temperatures rise. Microbial activity also increases with higher temperatures and humidity, but excessively high temperatures can lead to enzyme deactivation, while excessively high humidity can cause the tea to mold, affecting its drinkability. Ideally, the moisture content of Pu'er tea should be controlled between 8% and 10%, and the storage temperature should be kept between 20°C and 25°C.

  For a typical household, it's best to store Pu'er tea near a windowed area on the balcony, with windows opened in the morning and evening to ensure fresh air and good airflow. This facilitates the non-enzymatic auto-oxidation of the tea when it comes into contact with oxygen in the air, accelerating the “aging” process. “Translucent” storage means keeping Pu'er tea in natural light. Direct exposure to sunlight should be avoided, as should excessively dark environments. Light can cause photodegradation of chlorophyll, significantly altering the color of the tea. The effects of light and wind speed up the aging process, gradually developing the characteristic qualities of Pu'er tea: a rich, red liquor with a sweet, mellow flavor that improves over time.

  The environment in which Pu'er tea is stored must be free from any contamination. Contamination is highly undesirable when storing any type of tea, and Pu'er tea is no exception. Due to the presence of terpenoids and high-molecular-weight palmitic acid, Pu'er tea can quickly absorb the odors of other substances, potentially masking or altering its original aroma. Therefore, it is crucial to protect Pu'er tea from common household odors such as cooking oil fumes, cosmetics, medications, mothballs, fragrances (such as air fresheners and mosquito repellents), as well as human body Odor. If possible, having a dedicated “tea storage room” is ideal, or converting spaces like balconies into tea storage shelves or cabinets.