Pu'er Tea, being a type of aged tea, improves with time and becomes more fragrant the older it gets, as long as it doesn't develop mold. It's best stored in a dry environment. The stated shelf life is mainly a guideline for environmental conditions, with cool and dry storage being ideal. This knowledge comes from what tea drinkers often say, and when they refer to aged teas, they usually mean Pu'er tea.

What is the shelf life of Pu'er tea?

1. Pu'er tea does not have a specific shelf life and can be stored for an extended period. During storage, it's important to avoid high temperatures, strong odors, and direct sunlight, ensuring that the tea is stored in a moderately warm, humid, oxygenated, and Odor-free environment. Only by storing Pu'er tea scientifically can its quality improve over time.

Pu'er tea can be stored for a long time under suitable conditions without an expiration date. However, if improperly stored, it can spoil and become undrinkable. When stored correctly, Pu'er tea has the characteristic of becoming more fragrant with age.

2. To store Pu'er tea scientifically, it's essential to avoid high temperatures, strong odors, and direct sunlight. Tea is sensitive to both light and odor, and direct sunlight can cause a sun-dried smell. It should not be placed near sources of strong odors either.

3. Regular checks are also necessary to ensure that Pu'er tea is naturally aging in a moderately warm, humid, oxygenated, and odor-free environment. If stored improperly, the quality of the tea will significantly deteriorate.

How should Pu'er tea be stored at home?

Isolation from strong odors

Pu'er tea easily absorbs other odors. Considering the long-term storage of Pu'er tea, even slight odors will be absorbed and concentrated over time. Both pleasant and unpleasant smells are considered odors to Pu'er tea. Therefore, it's crucial to isolate it from odors at home. For example, do not store it near cigarettes, alcohol, or in the kitchen.

Suitable temperature and humidity

The ideal temperature is around 23 degrees Celsius, and the humidity should be between 50% and 70%, which is similar to a comfortable human environment.

Too high humidity can cause the tea to spoil and develop mold, while overly dry conditions will slow down the aging process.

Avoid areas with abnormal temperature and humidity, such as directly under air conditioners (which also have odor issues), heaters, or near refrigerators.

Air circulation

Storing Pu'er tea does not require ventilation but rather air circulation. In a suitable space, maintaining moderate air circulation will enhance the activity and speed of the tea's transformation. There's no need for strong winds, as this could cause the tea's aroma to dissipate.

Avoid direct exposure to strong sunlight

The ultraviolet rays in sunlight can severely damage tea, especially Pu'er tea, which is typically not sealed tightly. Especially for cakes of tea wrapped in just one layer of paper, direct sunlight should be absolutely avoided.

Storage location

In a home setting, the top of a bookshelf in a study would be a suitable place to store tea—odors are unlikely, it doesn't occupy space with other frequently used items, and it's sufficiently elevated from the ground.