Everyone knows that the price of Pu-erh tea is relatively low when it's new, while aged tea is considered a treasure. Tea enthusiasts can buy new tea and store it themselves for future enjoyment. After all, tea stored personally is more reassuring to drink. Moreover, aged tea is expensive, so storing good tea now allows you to enjoy it at a lower cost in the future—why not?

So, the question arises: How can tea lovers store tea properly at home?

First, choose a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Ideally, avoid both morning and evening sun exposure. If that's not possible, at least avoid the afternoon sun.

Second, store raw and ripe teas separately. Purchase several cardboard boxes, preferably double-layered or multi-layered corrugated boxes. If the tea is bought in bulk, store it as-is. If bought in smaller quantities, separate raw and ripe teas by year and store them in sealed boxes.

The specific method is to place raw teas of the same year in one box and ripe teas of the same year in another. If possible, add 1-2 older tea cakes to aid in aging and transformation. For example, store all 2003 teas together and add 1-2 cakes from 2000 or earlier.

Third, buy wooden racks or planks. The racks should be about 10 cm high, and stacked planks should also reach 10 cm. Place the tea storage boxes on these racks or planks, keeping them off the ground and away from walls.

Fourth, purchase a few kilograms of charcoal—bamboo charcoal if possible, otherwise regular charcoal will do. During the humid season, divide the charcoal into half-kilogram portions and place them in different corners of the storage room. Remove the charcoal after the humid season ends. On sunny days, sun-dry the charcoal and store it for reuse the next year.

Fifth, avoid opening windows during the humid season. On clear days, ventilate briefly. At night, keep windows closed. On regular days, open windows for about half an hour on sunny afternoons every two weeks. In summer, ventilate in the morning or evening.

Sixth, in regions with long humid seasons, wrap the cardboard boxes in plastic wrap to block moisture.

Seventh, in dry northern regions, place a few bowls of water in the storage area to adjust humidity. Remember to change the water regularly to prevent odor.

The above methods are practical tips for home tea storage. Though they may seem tedious, they ensure a better tea-drinking experience in the future. Take action now!

Life's ups and downs are like a cup of tea—bitter yet fragrant. Be detached from fame and profit, free from contention, and embrace nature, elegance, and tranquility.

There is a Zen-like connection between people and tea, with tea as the medium. Life's fluctuations resemble a cup of tea—bitter yet aromatic.