How to store Tea is almost a question every Pu'er tea enthusiast must face. Of course, if the quantity is very small, only a few pieces or three to five kilograms, then there's not much to consider; simply pay attention to preventing dampness and avoiding direct sunlight. However, if you have a significant amount of tea to store, for example, dozens of pounds, or even as a proud member of the “hundred-pound club,” and you are expecting an ideal “post-fermentation” effect in several years or even decades, then this issue needs to be taken more seriously.
How to Store Pu'er Tea?
01. Air Circulation
Air circulation helps the proliferation of microorganisms in the tea, thus accelerating the aging process of Pu'er tea. A sealed environment not only stifles the tea but also makes it easy for the tea to absorb odd odors from the enclosed space. Therefore, Pu'er tea should be stored in a place with good air circulation, but not directly exposed to wind, as direct airflow can affect the aging process of the tea.
02. Stable Temperature
The temperature of the storage environment should generally be at room temperature, without deliberate human intervention, ideally kept between 20-30°C. If the temperature is too high, the tea will ferment too quickly and become sour. Relatively speaking, changes in Pu'er tea during spring, summer, and autumn occur faster than in winter. Also, avoid direct sunlight and keep the tea in a cool place.
03. Appropriate Humidity
The three conditions necessary for Pu'er tea fermentation are water, temperature, and oxygen. Without water, fermentation cannot occur, so the storage environment needs a certain level of humidity. If the environment is dry, a small Cup of water can be placed near the tea to increase the humidity of the surrounding air.
04. Clean Environment Without Odd Odors
Tea easily absorbs odd odors from the air, so the place where Pu'er tea is stored must be clean and free of extraneous odors, otherwise, the tea will absorb these odors.
05. Natural Outer Packaging
After purchasing Pu'er tea, try to use traditional bamboo wrappers for packaging, which aids in the fermentation of the tea and filters out odd odors. If you're not in a hurry to taste the tea after purchase, it's best to store it directly in its original packaging.
How Long Can Raw Pu'er Tea Be Stored?
The aroma components in raw Pu'er tea mainly consist of alkenes, aromatic ring alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, phenols, heterocyclic compounds, lactones, hydrocarbons, etc. These components present different fragrances, which is why different levels of aromatic sensations are often experienced when tasting Pu'er tea, directly related to the raw materials used and the storage process. If the storage conditions are excellent, then Pu'er tea can be stored for at least 30-40 years.
It is important to note that for storing Pu'er tea, as long as it is not exposed to direct sunlight or rain, and is stored in a clean, hygienic, ventilated environment without odd odors and with appropriate temperature and humidity, that is sufficient. If the quantity is large, a dedicated warehouse can be set up for storage. For smaller quantities stored at home, keeping them in a Ceramic jar and paying attention to preventing dampness and Odor absorption is recommended.