The key factors in storing Pu'er Tea are a constant temperature, circulating air, and moderate humidity. If these three points can be met, the tea can be stored directly without needing to be sealed. However, most households cannot satisfy these three elements simultaneously, so sealing is a crucial point for many families when storing Pu'er tea. Below, let's take a look at the techniques and methods for storing Pu'er tea:

Pu'er Tea Storage Methods

1. Storing Pu'er Tea in a Purple Clay Container (Clay Pot)

Purple clay tea containers have strong practicality and high artistic value, making them popular among tea enthusiasts and collectors. Purple clay pots are breathable and serve as the best containers for storing Pu'er tea, though they can be quite expensive nowadays. If you find purple clay containers too pricey, you can use clay pots, which are relatively cheaper. Before storing the tea, make sure the container has no Odor. After placing the tea inside, you can also add some bamboo charcoal to absorb moisture.

2. Storing Whole Pieces of Pu'er Tea

For home storage, if you purchase whole pieces, you can store them directly without taking up much space. Cardboard boxes can help isolate odors and prevent dampness. When storing, place them a certain distance from the ground to avoid dampness, or place them on wooden boards or cardboard boxes.

3. Sealing Pu'er Tea in Plastic Bags

If you have a small number of single cakes or a few cakes of Pu'er tea, the best method is to store them in kraft paper bags. Kraft paper bags help prevent dampness and odors. Every few months, take them out to ventilate. This ensures the transformation of the tea cakes and allows you to check for any signs of mold.

Tips for Storing Pu'er Tea

1. Pu'er tea comes in raw and ripe varieties, and they should be stored separately.

2. The storage location should be off the ground and away from walls since the ground can be damp, and placing the tea directly on it could lead to mold growth.

3. During the storage process, avoid exposing the tea to sunlight, as this can significantly affect the taste of the tea infusion.

4. The storage location for Pu'er tea must be far away from places with smoke (from smoking or cooking oil fumes), fragrances (like perfume), etc., as tea leaves have a strong adsorption capacity and can easily absorb other odors.

Many conditions required for proper storage of Pu'er tea in a household setting cannot be met. Therefore, we recommend using simple and convenient sealed storage. Whether it's a single cake or an entire package of Pu'er tea, wrap it in plastic bags for storage, then open it every three to five months to allow it to breathe.

Finally, here's a little tip to make your stored tea taste even better: if you plan to drink the Pu'er tea after it has been stored for some time, break it up and let it sit out in advance. Since Pu'er tea is stored in its own microenvironment for a long time, it differs from our daily living environment. Therefore, before drinking it, you should allow the tea to awaken by adjusting to the new environment. This change in environment helps activate the intrinsic substances in the tea leaves, resulting in a better flavor.