Many Pu'er Tea enthusiasts know that raw and ripe Pu'er teas have different characteristics due to differences in their production processes, which results in distinct flavors, mouthfeel, and aromas. Therefore, raw and ripe Pu'er teas should be stored separately. Can different raw Pu'er teas be stored together in the same container?

Can Raw Pu'er Teas Be Stored Together?

Can raw Pu'er teas from different brands be stored together in a single clay jar? Actually, this is not recommended. Even if they are made from the same raw materials, if the production processes differ, the aroma, color, taste, etc., will also vary. Storing them together can alter some of their unique features, such as the aroma, which could affect their quality.

Based on the characteristics of your tea cakes, you should use different storage methods: Pu'er tea is not very picky about where it's stored. Whether in a living room or a dedicated space, as long as it is not exposed to direct sunlight, is cool and well-ventilated, and away from pollution or strong-smelling items like soap, incense, etc., it will be fine. It's important to note that for new teas or teas aged up to 30 years, the storage environment should be dry and well-ventilated.

The ideal containers for storing Pu'er tea are clay jars. If you have a large quantity of tea, you can use larger clay jars or vats. Clay products are good at allowing air to circulate, making them very suitable for storing Pu'er tea. The mouth of the jar doesn't need to be sealed; simply cover it with a piece of brown paper to keep out dust. Flipping over the stored tea every three to five months can achieve excellent results.

When you first bring home new raw Pu'er tea, do not seal it immediately but let it breathe a little. If the new tea has a strong warehouse smell, place it in the open air until the smell dissipates before storing it. For odorless or slightly warehouse-scented whole bundles of tea cakes, remove the bamboo wrappers and store the individual cakes, or strip off the outer packaging paper before storage. For whole bundles without a warehouse smell, wrap the bamboo outer layer with Xuan paper, cotton paper, or brown paper, then store it. These wrapping papers help regulate the internal environment and block excessive moisture from the outside.

If you're fortunate enough to acquire aged or antique-grade old Pu'er tea—these teas already have developed a certain character and don't require further ventilation to mature. You can store them in their original packaging boxes and drink them whenever you wish; the tea quality and character won't diminish. Aged teas can also be stored in porcelain jars. If purchased as a whole bundle, leave the bamboo wrapper and paper intact to preserve its character. Porcelain jars create a semi-sealed environment that maintains the aroma and vitality of aged teas. Some people protect the character of antique-grade old teas by wrapping them in food-grade plastic film for storage.

For compressed teas that you plan to drink soon, remove the outer packaging paper, break apart the whole cake, and place it in a clay jar to eliminate any warehouse smell. This process is known as “revitalizing” or “waking up” the tea and can take anywhere from one week to two months, depending on the specific tea. Once the tea is revitalized, wrap it in paper and place it back in the clay jar for easy access when you want to drink it.

Therefore, it's best not to store teas from different brands together to avoid mixing their aromas, which could affect the enjoyment of the tea later on.