So why does ripe Pu-erh tea taste better after being stored for several years?
Ripe Pu-erh tea is a type of tea formed by processing and fermenting Yunnan large-leaf sun-dried green tea. Ripe Pu-erh tea has a "mild nature", with health care benefits such as protecting the stomach, nourishing the stomach, warming the stomach, weight loss, and lowering blood lipids. Coupled with its pure and mild taste, reddish-brown color, and unique aged aroma, it is very popular with the public!
Based on my years of tea drinking experience, I have found that new ripe Pu-erh tea can be slightly astringent; whereas aged ripe Pu-erh tea stored for several years, if you savor it slowly, you will find that it is mellow, smooth, and has a sweet aftertaste!
To explore the reasons, let me explain them one by one to fellow tea lovers;
Tea leaves are inherently highly absorbent. During storage, ripe Pu-erh tea undergoes many chemical reactions with the surrounding air. These reactions produce many factors that make the taste of ripe tea better and better!
New ripe Pu-erh has a strong fermentation "pile" flavor. Only through storage does this pile flavor transform. The various composite polymers produced through artificial fermentation also oxidize to a certain extent, making the tea taste more restrained and profound.
Thus, after being stored for several years, ripe Pu-erh tea gradually develops a taste that is mellow and sweet with a lingering aftertaste; the aroma becomes rich; the broth becomes a deep, bright red, and the brewed leaves are even; it possesses a unique aged fragrance. Just like our 2008 Zang Sui (Hidden Years) tea, which perfectly illustrates all of this, everyone will understand upon trying it.
For ripe Pu-erh tea, the optimal storage time often varies for different teas. Whether it tastes good depends on the degree of fermentation of the tea itself, the grade of the raw materials used, and the storage method. Finally, the outcome also depends on your brewing method!
Storage methods for ripe Pu-erh tea
Of course, for the taste to improve after several years of storage, scientific storage methods are essential: optimal storage temperature is 20-40°C, humidity 15%, dry and ventilated, free of foreign odors, and not exposed to direct sunlight. If stored improperly, aged ripe tea can develop a "storage off-flavor", so tea friends must pay utmost attention to their storage methods.
Scientific brewing of Pu-erh tea
Good tea can be ruined by improper brewing! Let me explain step by step: use a purple clay teapot or a lidded bowl (gaiwan), prepare a pot of boiling water, warm the cup, then add 5-8 pieces of tea leaves. Pour water along the side of the cup until 80% full, wait 30 seconds and pour out the rinse water. Pour water along the side of the cup for multiple infusions until the tea flavor becomes weak. Improper brewing can result in a purplish broth color, and a taste that is dry, tight, and sticks to the throat. Tea friends, have you ever made such mistakes? I hope everyone corrects them if they have them, and remains vigilant if they don't.
In summary, high-quality ripe Pu-erh tea needs to be stored for several years before drinking for the overall feeling to be better. But it must be stored and brewed scientifically, otherwise, not only will you ruin and waste the tea, but you might also say I deceived you.
If even these basic conditions are not met, how can we talk about fermentation? This is the same principle as fermenting pickles and rice wine.
If you want to ask specifically how it ferments, I can only say that many of the chemical reactions are beyond my ability to explain clearly, I hope fellow tea lovers will understand~~
Additionally, I will give an example to help everyone understand and remember this issue deeply:
Life is full of such examples. If comparing a gentleman-like man to tea, or specifically ripe tea, he might be slightly green and astringent in his youth. As time changes, after undergoing trials and the precipitation of time, he gradually matures. The feeling he gives people might become more responsible, more tasteful, and more stable!
Men as wise as tea, as sweet as tea, and as considerate as tea do exist in life. They adhere to their inherent way of life. In the river of fate, whether the waves are turbulent or they rise and fall, they are calm and composed,从容不迫 (cóng róng bù pò - calm and unhurried)······· May all men in the world be like good tea. Men are like tea, they need to be savored.
【Friendly reminder】Raw Pu-erh tea and ripe Pu-erh tea are two types of tea with completely different quality styles. Try not to store raw tea and ripe tea together because their aroma types are different, to prevent flavor transfer!