Tea is highly absorbent of extraneous odors. A handful of dry tea leaves will absorb unwanted odors from the air, hence it's essential to ensure the storage environment is clean and free of any odd smells. As stated in ancient texts: “Tea loves bamboo leaves but fears fragrant herbs.” – by Song Dynasty's Cai Xiang; “It prefers coolness and dislikes dampness. It likes solitude and abhors foul odors.” – by Ming dynasty's Wen Long; “The nature of tea is easily influenced; it should not be stored near anything with a strong smell, even fine incense.”
Puer Tea Storage Conditions
(1) Temperature: Below 30°C (do not store in the refrigerator); Maintain a constant temperature. The ideal temperature for storing Puer tea should generally follow the natural indoor environment, ideally between 20°C and 30°C. Too high a temperature can cause the tea to ferment too quickly and become sour. Puer tea should not be exposed to direct sunlight and should be kept in a cool place. The changes in the tea during spring, summer, and autumn tend to be faster than in winter.
(2) Humidity: Around 60-70% is optimal, with the maximum not exceeding 75%. High-quality Puer teas are often recommended to be stored in a “dry warehouse,” which means they should be stored in a dry environment, avoiding moisture. However, an overly dry environment can slow down the aging process of the tea, so some humidity is necessary. In drier environments, you can place a small Cup of water near the stored tea to slightly increase the humidity.
However, excessively humid conditions can cause rapid changes in Puer tea, often leading to mold, making the tea undrinkable. Humidity should be controlled, and the average annual humidity should not exceed 75%. In coastal areas where the climate is warm and oceanic, humidity can rise above 75% during the plum rain season, so it's important to open windows to ventilate and disperse moisture.
(3) Avoid Light: Light can cause irreversible damage to the tea.
(4) Internal Ventilation: Ensure proper air circulation within the storage space, but do not allow external ventilation. Ventilate once or twice every one to two months on relatively dry days. If the moisture content in the tea is below 6%, it can also be sealed for storage. New teas should not be sealed for at least one to two years.
(5) Organized Stacking: Stack the tea based on its packaging in an orderly and reasonable manner.
(6) Warehouse Environment: The warehouse does not need decoration. Materials used should be non-toxic, odorless, and resistant to pests. The warehouse should be clean and dry.
(7) Awakening the Tea: Before drinking, Puer teas can be placed in a clay jar for short-term awakening (within 10-20 days).
(8) Sealing: Teas stored at home or in the office, as well as those carried around, must be sealed, especially if they have been opened. Seal them promptly.
What to Do if Your Puer Tea Develops an Odd Smell>
For teas that have undergone minor changes in flavor that aren't too significant, you can process these “altered” teas further through methods such as sun-drying and increasing the number of rinses. Sun-drying helps evaporate excess moisture within the tea cakes and can also kill harmful bacteria, improving the aroma and taste of the tea.
However, our tolerance for “altered” teas should have a limit, and this should be based on ensuring no harm to human health. If the tea develops an Odor that causes a natural aversion, such as moldy or sour smells, we should recognize that there may be quality issues with the tea and promptly dispose of it.
Although Puer tea has the effect of becoming more fragrant with age, for the best tasting experience, it is recommended to consume it shortly after purchase. If you decide to store it, try to keep the storage period as short as possible to ensure the best flavor. For tea storage, follow the taboos and specific precautions for storing Puer tea. Even if you're not very experienced, the tea stored this way will still have a good flavor.