“Store new Tea, drink aged tea” has always been a habit among many tea enthusiasts in the Pu'er tea community. Pu'er tea is known for becoming more fragrant with age. How can one store Pu'er tea so that it becomes better as it ages?

How to Store High-Quality Aged Pu'er Tea?

1. Dry Storage

Dry storage refers to storing the tea in an environment with humidity, temperature, and good ventilation for post-fermentation, ensuring the tea does not mold and the transformation process is slow, preserving the true nature of Pu'er tea.

Maintain relative humidity between 65% and 75%. Both excessively high or low humidity is detrimental to the aging of Pu'er tea. When the climate is dry, Pu'er tea (especially raw tea) will enter a dormant state, which is not conducive to aging. You can use a humidifier to increase air humidity appropriately or frequently wipe the floor with a damp towel, which both adds moisture and cleans.

2. Stable Temperature

The storage environment's temperature for Pu'er tea should generally be between 20°C and 30°C. Temperatures outside this range are unfavorable for aging; avoid air conditioning and direct sunlight that can alter the quality of the tea.

Sudden high temperatures or sudden changes in temperature can affect the liveliness of the tea soup's taste. High temperatures not only make Pu'er tea lose its activity but also hinder its own aging process. Over time, Pu'er tea will become “dead,” meaning it loses its value for further storage and transformation.

3. Avoid Strange Odors

Tea is very susceptible to absorbing strange odors, and once absorbed, these odors cannot be reversed. Therefore, strive for a clean environment without strange odors.

4. Use Bamboo Shells Properly

Bamboo shells are relatively sturdy and natural materials. Using them to wrap Pu'er tea does not cause chemical penetration and protects the tea from external pollution and damage, creating a good microenvironment for the tea and promoting post-fermentation.

Tea wrapped in bamboo shells for a long time can emit a faint bamboo fragrance when brewed. Bamboo shell packaging not only protects the tea but also makes transportation convenient, which is why it has been used until now.

If you can store the tea by piece or bundle without damaging the bamboo shell packaging, it is the most appropriate way to preserve it.

5. Pay Attention to Transformation Cycles

“The older, the better” applies only within a certain period. Every type of Pu'er tea has an optimal aging period during which, under suitable storage conditions, its drinking quality will improve over time. However, after the tea reaches a peak quality level following a certain period, its drinking quality may gradually deteriorate over time.

Precautions for Home Storage of Tea

When it comes to home storage of tea, it is essential to have a unified understanding of scientific storage methods. Follow these two points:

1. The temperature should be between 15°C and 35°C, and humidity should ideally be maintained between 40% and 75%.

2. Store the tea in a dark, odorless, unpolluted, and relatively dry enclosed space.

If you follow these two principles when storing tea, home storage becomes much easier. Here are specific steps:

1. If you have a large amount of tea to store, prepare a dedicated small home warehouse. A space of about 10 square meters should satisfy most home storage needs. The small warehouse should be “sealed, shaded, and odorless.” It should also be equipped with a hygrometer and thermometer to monitor the temperature and humidity at any time.

2. If you have a smaller amount of tea, such as just a few cakes or bundles, place the tea in corrugated cardboard boxes. When storing, ensure that raw and ripe teas are stored separately, and keep the boxes away from walls and off the ground. Do not choose porous containers like purple clay or Pottery for long-term storage.

In summary, the key elements for home storage of tea are: protect against moisture and sunlight, especially against strange odors; store in sealed cardboard boxes, and original packaging is even better; keep the boxes away from walls and off the ground, and allow for moderate ventilation.