Pu'er tea is a fully Fermented tea, and traditionally, there are no expiration date regulations for tea; it can be stored long-term under proper conditions. Due to long-term storage, the content of Caffeine and polyphenols in the tea can be broken down, making the tea nature gentler. So what are the storage requirements for aged Pu'er tea?

The storage method for aged Pu'er tea:

1. Purple Clay Jars

Purple clay utensils have always been used alongside tea. When we Brew tea, the best tea ware should also be purple clay. Especially for loose tea, if you want to store Pu'er loose tea for a long time, then a purple clay container is the best choice. Purple clay teaware is breathable and improves with use, making it the best container for storing Pu'er tea. Nowadays, however, purple clay jars can be quite expensive. If you find them too pricey, you can use ceramic jars, which are much cheaper than purple clay containers and sufficient for ordinary collectors.

When using these containers, new purchases must be cleaned to remove any contaminants from the container itself. This can be done by repeatedly cleaning with plain water and hot water, or by boiling some inexpensive tea leaves in water to clean the container, then allowing it to dry. After placing the tea inside, you can also put some bamboo charcoal in the container before adding the tea. When placing the tea, you can remove the outer bamboo shell packaging from the Compressed tea cakes (if they come in tube packaging) and place the tea cakes (or bricks) directly into the container.

2. Cardboard Boxes

For personal tea storage at home, using cardboard boxes is one of the most practical methods. Although cardboard boxes do not offer the same benefits as purple clay containers, they do have their own advantages: they are easy to obtain and free, and they are convenient to store at home without taking up much space.

When storing Pu'er tea in cardboard boxes, you should pay attention to any odors the box may have. Therefore, when you get a cardboard box, you should understand its original use. If there is an Odor, it's best to let it sit for a while until the odor dissipates before storing the Pu'er tea. It is recommended to only store compressed tea in cardboard boxes. For smaller quantities, such as just a few cakes, you can first seal them in paper bags before placing them in the box.

The fact that Pu'er tea doesn't expire does not mean it won't spoil. Here are some things to keep in mind when storing it:

1. Avoid high temperatures when storing Pu'er tea

High temperatures will accelerate the degradation of chlorophyll in Pu'er tea, causing the chlorophyll to continuously convert into de-magnesium chlorophyll, changing the fresh green color to dark brown. The automatic oxidation of polyphenols and other substances in the tea will also speed up at higher temperatures. According to research, for every 10°C increase in temperature, the rate of browning in Pu'er tea accelerates, affecting the quality of the tea.

2. Avoid direct sunlight when storing Pu'er tea

Plant pigments and lipids in Pu'er tea are prone to photochemical reactions, producing sun-dried flavors and other odors. Pu'er tea is particularly sensitive to light, so it is important to avoid exposing it to direct sunlight when storing it.

3. Avoid odors when storing Pu'er tea

Tea is a porous and loose material that easily absorbs odors. When storing Pu'er tea, avoid areas with strong odors, as they can cause the tea to absorb unwanted flavors and affect its natural taste. One key point in storing Pu'er tea is to prevent the tea from absorbing household odors. Since tea readily absorbs flavors, when storing Pu'er tea at home, do not keep it near spaces with strong or mixed odors, such as bathrooms, kitchens, or newly purchased cabinets, etc.

4. Avoid moisture when storing Pu'er tea

Pu'er tea is a porous and loose material, and many of its components are hygroscopic compounds that easily absorb moisture. Once damp, the moisture content of Pu'er tea increases, and when the moisture content exceeds 8%, the tea will deteriorate more quickly and may even mold due to microbial growth. It should be stored in a cool and dry place.