Fall and winter are the best seasons to drink Pu'er ripe Tea, as it is warm in nature and helps to nourish the stomach. What should you understand when selecting ripe Pu'er? Here are four key points to clarify!

1. Fermentation of Pu'er Ripe Tea
Generally, ripe tea that has undergone normal fermentation will have a better taste after being stored for two to three years. If lightly fermented, it requires three or more years of storage before its flavor develops. Over-Fermented tea is the opposite.
The conversion speed determined by the storage location also plays a role: in humid and hot regions, the tea will naturally transform faster but may develop a musty or heap fermentation flavor; conversely, in dry regions, the tea transforms relatively slower but offers a better taste, hence, for Pu'er ripe tea, dry storage with a clean and pure broth is emphasized, which enhances its collection value!

2. Three Optimal Times for Drinking Pu'er Ripe Tea
First Optimal Time: Two to three months after pressing. At this point, the ripe tea is typically not very enjoyable due to its strong heap flavor and heatiness, as well as the presence of wateriness from high-temperature steaming. However, it does have the unique aroma and sweetness of ripe tea. Drinking it at this time is mainly for the purpose of tasting and trying something new, and it helps decide if the tea is suitable for long-term storage.
Second Optimal Time: After three years. In the dry storage conditions of Kunming, the heap flavor of ripe tea fades significantly within two to three years, and the internal qualities stabilize. The aroma, sweetness, mellow texture, and smoothness start to emerge. At this stage, the ripe tea can be savored to appreciate the subtle changes brought about by time. It becomes clearer and sweeter, smoother and more delicate, with any flaws gradually disappearing. Its nature shifts from heatiness to warmth, making it suitable for those with a cold constitution to drink regularly.
Third Optimal Time: After ten years, this is the ideal period for drinking ripe tea. The tea enters a stable and slow transformation phase, with a gentle nature, rich and mellow taste, sweet and pleasant flavor, and pure aroma. It is smooth, delicate, full-bodied, and suitable for all ages.

3. How to Determine the Age of Ripe Tea?
Ripe teas aged 1-3 years: The most obvious feature is a noticeable warehouse smell and murky broth.
Pu'er ripe teas aged 3-7 years: The warehouse smell is largely negligible. The broth is clear, and after awakening the tea, there is hardly any off-flavor. Some may exhibit a light aged aroma.
Ripe teas aged 7-15 years: Generally, the age can be judged based on the intensity of the aged aroma. Higher-grade teas, such as palace-grade, may exhibit lotus fragrance, while coarser and older teas may have jujube or medicinal herb fragrances. A clear broth is essential, resembling Rose-red wine.
4. How to Store Pu'er Ripe Tea?
For tea, whether it is suitable for drinking and how many years it should be stored depends on two prerequisites: good raw materials and processing, and proper storage conditions. Without these two conditions, storing it for any length of time won't make it enjoyable.
The storage of Pu'er ripe tea requires a scientific approach: the optimal temperature range is 20-40°C, with humidity between 50% to 65%. The environment should be dry, ventilated, free of odors, and protected from direct sunlight. If stored improperly, aged ripe tea can develop “warehouse off-flavors,” so the method of storage needs to be carefully considered by tea enthusiasts.