The quality of Tea that is suitable for aging must be excellent; otherwise, its color, aroma, taste, and appearance may not be satisfactory after several years. A tea that originally lacks aroma, has a thin flavor, and no aftertaste will remain the same even after fifty or one hundred years of storage. It will not develop the qualities of an aged tea such as a vibrant aroma, lively mouthfeel, rich flavor, and layered aromas and tastes.

  What Kinds of Tea Are Suitable for Collecting?

  1. Collecting for Future Drinking

  If you are collecting tea solely to drink in the future, the choice of tea type and quality is essential. Among the six major categories of tea, those suitable for long-term storage include dark teas, white teas, and raw Pu'er. Dark teas, having undergone fermentation, do not undergo significant changes in taste over time. White teas and raw Pu'er, which have not been fermented and are naturally dried, experience significant changes in taste compared to when they are new.

  For collecting with the intention of drinking, selecting high-quality tea is most important. High-quality teas have greater potential for transformation and richer flavors later on. When considering storage, it is recommended to choose compressed teas.

  2. Collecting for Appreciation in Value

  It is widely accepted in the industry that Pu'er tea increases in value over time. However, not all Pu'er teas appreciate in value. Many teas that have been stored for decades remain at the price level of ten years ago, so choosing carefully is crucial. When selecting, consider brand, product line, and quality—all three factors are necessary.

  1. Can a brand create value, attract more people's attention, and encourage consumption and investment? This determines whether the tea from this brand has room for appreciation. In the wine industry, regardless of whether it is baijiu, whiskey, or red wine, the focus ultimately falls on the brand. Therefore, choosing a good brand is key. In the Pu'er brand category, Dayi is undoubtedly at the top tier. Second-tier brands to consider include Zhongcha, Chen Sheng, Fojin, Jingdafu, Yulin, Xiaguan, etc. For White Tea brands: Lvxueya, Pinpinxiang, Zhongcha Butterfly brand.

  2. How to Select Products? Choosing the right product is also critical for collectors. Using Dayi as an example, products that are around ten years old can range from the Longyin priced at over 100,000 RMB to the 7572 priced at a few thousand RMB per piece. When selecting products, opt for those that are positioned as high-end, with limited release quantities, as these have greater potential for appreciation. Products designed for consumption have less room for appreciation.

  3. Both Appreciation in Value and Drinking Enjoyment

  Some tea enthusiasts may ask if there are any teas that are not too expensive but still have some potential for appreciation in value. Such teas exist, but generally, their appreciation potential is small. For example, some of Dayi's earlier batch-numbered teas were produced as everyday drinking teas, but due to their brand value and decent quality, some of these teas have appreciated in value, albeit modestly due to their large existing quantities. Additionally, white teas, such as Shoumei and Dabao series, also offer both drinking enjoyment and appreciation potential.