Pu'er Tea can be stored long-term, but only tightly compressed teas are suitable for long-term storage. Additionally, attention needs to be paid to the storage method; if not stored properly, the quality of the Pu'er leaves will be affected. So, how can Pu'er tea cakes be preserved for a long time? Let's take a look.
What are the precautions for storing Pu'er tea cakes?
1. Dry and well-ventilated area
Pu'er tea cakes are best stored in a dry and well-ventilated area. Ideally, they should be placed in Ceramic jars or crocks. The storage location should avoid direct sunlight and rain exposure, as direct sunlight can cause the tea to become sour.
2. Maintain appropriate temperature
Maintaining an appropriate temperature is essential for the “aging” process of Pu'er tea cakes. It's best to store Pu'er tea cakes near a window where they can interact with oxygen in the air, which is a fundamental point for why Pu'er tea can aid in weight loss. Direct sunlight must be avoided, as high temperatures can accelerate fermentation and cause the tea to turn sour.
3. Avoid moisture
The place where Pu'er tea cakes are stored should not be excessively damp. They should be wrapped in Xuan paper and moisture-absorbing paper without Odor and stored in a crock to prevent the tea from becoming damp and spoiling.
4. Avoid places with strong odors
Pu'er tea cakes should not be stored in areas with strong odors, as Pu'er tea cakes have a good ability to absorb flavors. If stored in an area with strong smells such as cosmetics or cooking oil, the tea can easily pick up these odors.
How to store Pu'er tea cakes long-term
Freshly purchased tea at home should not be sealed immediately after purchase. It should be slightly aired out. If the fresh tea has a strong warehouse smell, it can be left in the air until the smell dissipates before being stored. For tea cakes that are odorless or have a slight warehouse smell, the bamboo wrapper can be removed, and the cakes can be stored separately or with their packaging paper removed. If the entire roll of tea has no warehouse smell, it can be wrapped in Xuan paper, cotton paper, or kraft paper around the outer bamboo layer before storage. These wrapping papers act as regulators and help prevent excessive moisture from the outside environment.
The material for tea jars is porcelain and clay. When placing tea in a porcelain jar, one must be careful. Tea cakes with acidic gases should not be placed in such containers but rather in clay jars. It is recommended to store tea cakes in porcelain jars. Porcelain jars come glazed and unglazed. Glazed jars have better humidity retention and moderate activity, making them suitable for storing aged tea. Unglazed porcelain jars have better tea transformation properties and are suitable for storing fresh tea. However, it should be noted that jars with too strong water absorption are not suitable for storing tea.
The quality of Pu'er tea requires a certain amount of storage time, which determines the aged aroma and flavor of Pu'er tea. Studies show that the polyphenol content of Pu'er tea stored naturally for 10 years decreases to 13.94%, while the polyphenol content of Pu'er tea stored for 20 years decreases to 8.98%.
The most important aspect of storing tea is preventing off-flavors and mold. Tea is particularly susceptible to absorbing other odors. Once such off-flavors are absorbed during the aging process of Pu'er tea, its original aged aroma is destroyed.
In summary, just keep the Pu'er tea cakes dry and well-ventilated, avoiding areas with strong odors and damp environments, and maintaining an appropriate temperature. Furthermore, for new tea, it is not recommended to drink it immediately to avoid irritating the stomach, especially for those with sensitive stomachs. It is best to store it for some time before drinking.