How long should raw pu'er be stored before it's suitable to drink? While it's true that Tea improves with age, each year it undergoes some transformation, much like our own lives where every experience contributes to our growth and gains, allowing us to become more understanding and compassionate as we gain life experiences.

How Long Should Raw Pu'er Be Stored Before It's Suitable to Drink?

The First Optimal Period: 1 Year

Why one year and not three months? After a new tea has been stored for three months, its moisture dissipates, and its aroma remains strong. However, the tea is still very potent at this stage. This tea is best enjoyed in moderation.

After being stored for a year, the tea has undergone some transformation. At this point, it stands at the threshold between its past and future. Tasting it now allows you to see its strengths and weaknesses, revealing its true nature.

The Second Optimal Period: 3 Years

After three years of maturation, the tea's rawness and freshness have faded, and its taste becomes richer, much like a Bud just beginning to emerge.

The Third Optimal Period: 7 Years

A saying in the tea community goes, “A year's tea, three years' medicine, seven years' treasure.”

After seven years of transformation, the tea begins to develop a mature aroma. We can judge its vitality through its appearance, color, and scent, which will also reveal its value for collection.

The Fourth Optimal Period: 15 Years

At this stage, the tea is no longer ordinary but has become aged.

From its aroma, color, taste, and energy, the tea has completed its first phase of transformation and is about to enter its peak aging period. It may develop rare and precious aromas such as medicinal or ginseng-like scents without any surprises.

The Fifth Optimal Period: 30 Years

Tea of this vintage is rare and hard to come by. In the tea world, it is seldom seen after so many years.

Of course, the specific storage duration depends on personal preference. With each passing year, a pu'er reveals different aspects of its character. The best time to enjoy it is when it suits your palate. The key to storing tea is not the passage of time, but rather the quality of the tea itself. If the tea is of good quality, it naturally transforms into a fine aged tea over time, although proper storage methods are also important.

When Storing Raw Pu'er Tea, Pay Attention to the Following Points:

(1) Avoid Strange Odors: Tea has a strong adsorption ability and can easily absorb odors from the air, affecting or even destroying its original aroma and flavor. In daily storage, avoid strong odors such as paint, tobacco, and perfume.

(2) Protect Against Moisture: Every spring, there is a period known as “back-to-south weather” across the country, where the air is damp and cold, and clothes take days to dry. Pu'er tea also fears dampness; moisture can soften the tea, affecting its flavor. If the tea gets damp and isn't properly handled, excessive moisture can cause mold, ruining a good tea. Tea cakes, bricks, and tuocha can be broken into smaller pieces and sealed in a purple clay jar. Note that this applies not only during back-to-south weather but also generally, as pu'er tea should be stored in a dry place.

(3) Protect from Light: Although pu'er tea goes through multiple rounds of drying during production, the finished tea should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Sunlight can degrade the tea's internal components, such as chlorophyll, amino acids, and Vitamin C. While pu'er tea doesn't have the same color standards as Green Tea, the weakening of its quality will still affect its taste. Direct sunlight can also increase temperature, inadvertently promoting the oxidation of phenolic substances in the tea, further weakening its quality. Therefore, pu'er tea should be stored in a cool, shady area.

(4) Ensure Good Ventilation: Daily storage of pu'er tea should allow for adequate ventilation. It should not be kept in a completely sealed environment, as contact with air promotes the tea's transformation. Containers commonly used at home, such as plastic bags and mooncake tins, are not suitable for storing pu'er tea. Be mindful of these mistakes to prevent ruining good tea.