Pu-erh Tea

When storing tea, attention should be paid to avoiding light exposure, moisture, odors, and high temperatures. Exposure to sunlight can cause chlorophyll in the leaves to fade, darkening the color of the tea, so care should be taken to avoid light; in damp places, tea is prone to mold, so attention should be given to moisture control; tea has a strong adsorption capacity and can easily absorb odors from other objects, altering its aroma, so care should be taken to avoid odors; additionally, high temperatures can accelerate the degradation of tea, so it's important to avoid high temperatures. What Influences Should Be Noted During the Storage of Tea? I. Green Tea Storage Method: Refrigerate. If you need to store for a short period and want to drink it at any time, place green tea in the refrigerator and set the temperature to around 5°C. If the tea is unopened and you want to preserve it for over a year, then store it in the freezer. Best Time to Drink: Within 1-2 months after opening, or within one year if unopened. Points to Note: 1. You can use quicklime to absorb moisture from the tea, package it in an aluminum composite…...

The storage time for Sheng Pu'er and Shou Pu'er depends on the quality of the tea, the quality of the raw materials, and whether the storage environment can be maintained within an appropriate range. Generally speaking, Sheng Pu'er has a longer storage time than Shou Pu'er. Sheng Pu'er can be stored for 10 to 20 years or even longer, as it is a type of tea without a clear expiration date, suitable for long-term storage. The aroma and taste of the tea become richer and more appealing over time, and its nature becomes milder. The shelf life of Shou Pu'er is typically 8 to 15 years. Shou Pu'er has a more stable nature, and when properly stored, the tea's taste becomes steady and mellow. However, due to the special production method of Shou Pu'er, which involves artificial acceleration of fermentation, the tea continues to ferment after production, making its taste increasingly steady. Thus, the storage time for Shou Pu'er is not as long as that of Sheng Pu'er. Both Sheng and Shou Pu'er Have Value for Long-Term Storage Although Shou Pu'er has already undergone the fermentation and transformation process, it is essentially an "accelerated early-born" tea, resembling but not quite…...

Puer tea has the characteristic of becoming more fragrant with age, and its true value is best realized during post-fermentation transformation. This is why aged Puer teas are highly favored. What are the precautions for collecting Puer tea? Puer Tea Collection Precautions Firstly, some people blindly pursue Puer teas that are 30 to 50 years old, even seeking rare aromas like camphor or lotus. In reality, Puer teas over 20 years old are already quite scarce, and those over 30 to 40 years old are exceedingly rare. Some so-called "aged teas" sold on the market for hundreds of yuan are actually produced by merchants using teas that are only one to two years (or even a few months) old, compressed at a cost of just tens of yuan. Secondly, many believe that they can make substantial profits from collecting and aging Puer tea. However, there are significant challenges in personally collecting Puer tea at home. The aging process of Puer tea is influenced by factors such as time, temperature, air, humidity, and environment. Different storage environments and temperatures can result in significant differences in the quality of the tea. One characteristic of tea is its ability to absorb odors; therefore,…...

Puer tea, as a gem in Chinese tea culture, is renowned for its unique fermentation process and aging potential. It is not just a beverage but also an embodiment of culture and art. However, faced with the plethora of Puer teas on the market, how do you choose one that suits you? This article provides a comprehensive guide to selecting Puer tea, helping you find the perfect match. Understanding Basic Knowledge About Puer Tea Before selecting Puer tea, it's essential to understand some basic knowledge about it. Puer tea is divided into two main categories: raw (sheng) and ripe (shou). Raw Puer tea, which has not undergone artificial fermentation, gradually transforms from astringent to sweet over time and has high collection value. Ripe Puer tea, on the other hand, undergoes artificial fermentation and has a mellow taste suitable for immediate consumption. Introduction to Puer Tea Puer tea belongs to the category of dark teas and originates from Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province, named after its primary production area in Puer City. The production process of Puer tea is unique, involving withering, fixation, rolling, drying, and natural or artificial fermentation. The quality of Puer tea primarily depends on the…...

Puer tea does indeed improve with age, primarily because the chemical components within the leaves undergo carbonization over time, significantly altering the taste. Once it has been aged for 15 to 20 years or more, the brewed tea becomes even more enjoyable. However, it is not recommended to store the tea indefinitely, as this can cause the loss of its nutritional components. Is Puer Tea Better with Age? The saying that Puer tea improves with age comes with conditions. Not all Puer teas benefit from extended storage. The longer aging process enhances the aroma and flavor, making the tea more complex and desirable. As a result, older Puer teas are often more expensive. However, there is an optimal period for aging, during which the unique qualities and aged aroma develop. This transformation is due to post-fermentation processes that occur in storage, where compounds like polyphenols, amino acids, and sugars change, leading to an ideal color and aroma. If stored improperly or for too long, the quality can deteriorate, and beneficial components may degrade or oxidize, losing the tea's characteristic flavors. Conditions for Puer Tea to Improve with Age 1. Good Raw Material Sunlight, soil, climate, and temperature fundamentally determine the…...

In the previous article (Wilt: The Prelude to Transformation from Fresh Leaves to Tea), Lu Li provided an in-depth introduction to wilting. Next comes kneading, which involves the actions of "kneading" and "twisting" to roll the wilted leaves into a specific shape, reducing their surface area.   Purpose of Kneading in Pu'er Tea Most of the six major types of Chinese tea undergo a kneading process, but the shapes they are formed into vary. Examples include snail-shaped Biluochun, needle-shaped Nanjing Yuhua, flat-shaped West Lake Longjing, curled Anxi Tieguanyin, and pointed Taiping Houkui, among others. Yunnan large-leaf sun-dried green tea (the precursor to Pu'er tea) is categorized as a strip tea, characterized by its pursuit of being "tight, round, and straight," while avoiding being "loose, flat, and broken." When kneading by hand, it's important to maintain consistent movement direction for the leaves to avoid counter-twisting. For many types of tea, the primary purpose of kneading is to shape the leaves, enhancing their economic value. Therefore, the kneading time is short and the pressure light. However, this is not the case with Pu'er tea, because kneading serves another critical function: breaking down leaf cells. During kneading, significant pressure is applied to the…...

As a post-fermented tea, Puer tea's rich internal components change over time. Many Puer tea enthusiasts store substantial quantities at home. How long Puer tea can be stored depends on its storage conditions; it could be as little as a few years or as much as several decades. When storing Puer tea, it is essential to note: 1. Avoid direct sunlight exposure, as it can impart an unpleasant sour taste. 2. Prevent any external water intrusion, as this can lead to too rapid maturation and possibly microbial fermentation, causing undesirable changes in quality. 3. Keep the tea away from any foreign odors that might taint its flavor. 4. Store single varieties together to avoid complicating the monitoring of their condition. 5. When removing tea for use, take enough for your needs to minimize disturbance and make it easier to monitor the tea's condition. Puer tea is a post-fermented tea that becomes more fragrant with age when stored under suitable conditions. However, those who have stored loose Puer tea for a while may notice that the originally enjoyable flavor changes over time, becoming bland or even acquiring off-flavors, failing to develop the characteristic of improving with age. This is because loose…...

The shelf life of tea refers to its optimal tasting period. However, each type of tea has different appreciation angles; for green tea, it's all about its freshness and briskness. Therefore, the back of most green tea packaging will indicate a shelf life of 18 months. This means that, under normal circumstances, after 18 months, its freshness and briskness are virtually gone. However, this does not mean that drinking it after the expiration date is unsafe. On the contrary, if stored properly, the transformation of tea over the years may pleasantly surprise you. How Long is the Shelf Life of the Six Types of Tea? Green Tea (1 year) Green tea is not fermented, making it the freshest among teas, and it is prone to oxidation upon exposure to sunlight and air. The optimal tasting period for green tea is generally 12 months, which can be extended to 18 months with sealed refrigeration. Huang Tea (2 years) Huang tea undergoes an additional "yellowing" process compared to green tea, experiencing mild fermentation. It is a unique category that finds beauty in its yellow hue. Its optimal tasting period is 2 years. White Tea (Long-term Storage) White tea is neither stir-fried nor…...

Yiwu is an indispensable place in the world of Pu'er tea, both in the past and present. A century ago, Yiwu was the distribution center for the ancient six major tea mountains, a source of tribute tea, and the birthplace of century-old teas that still exist today. After the comprehensive revival of Pu'er tea, Yiwu transformed from a withering border town into a must-contest location for Pu'er tea merchants and even a place of pilgrimage for many tea lovers. The status of Yiwu tea in the Pu'er tea realm remains highly sought after by tea enthusiasts. During the spring tea season, the ancient town of Yiwu is bustling with activity, reminiscent of the scene described in the Qing Dynasty's "Yunnan Sea Records": "Within an area of eight hundred li, ten thousand people enter the mountains to make tea." With the popularity of Yiwu tea, the living standards of the people in the ancient town have significantly improved. Since 2010, when the "Yiwu Tea Competition" is held every April, the ancient town becomes even more lively, attracting countless guests. The history of tea cultivation in Yiwu dates back to the Tang Dynasty, when ancient Pu people lived and grew tea there.…...

       Discerning a tea's aging potential isn't something that can be accurately determined in a short period of time. It requires not only foundational knowledge but also experience gained through tasting, discussions, and perhaps even a bit of luck. You need to find a Pu'er tea that suits your taste and use it as a benchmark for assessing the aging potential of other teas, making it easier to judge their maturation capabilities. How to Assess the Aging Potential of Pu'er Tea 1. Quality of the Tea Product The three main factors that influence the quality of Pu'er tea are: raw materials, processing techniques, and storage conditions. The inherent differences in the raw materials (in terms of their intrinsic substances) largely determine the differences in the tea's quality over time. Processing techniques and storage conditions determine the tea's ability to age well. Often, tea enthusiasts debate whether ancient tree teas or younger tree teas age better. As mentioned in previous articles, everyone has different standards for what constitutes good taste in Pu'er tea, so direct comparisons are difficult. 2. Timeframe Many people overlook the importance of the timeframe when assessing a Pu'er tea's aging potential. This often leads them…...

Pu'er tea can be stored long-term and becomes more fragrant with age. However, black tea is different from Pu'er tea as it has a specific shelf life. Storing it for too long will cause the tea's aroma to dissipate, which in turn affects the taste of the infusion. In other words, black tea generally does not have significant value for collection. So how long is the shelf life of black tea? This depends on the packaging of the black tea. Generally, canned black tea has a shelf life of 2 years, sealed bagged black tea lasts 1 to 2 years, and loose black tea has a shelf life of 18 months. However, if stored properly, it can last longer. Regardless, to enjoy the purest flavor of black tea, it is recommended to consume it within its shelf life. How to Store Tea? In any case, once tea is opened, it should be stored promptly. Common methods used at home include canning storage and bagged storage. Canning storage is a widely adopted method in many households mainly because it is very convenient. However, many people often overlook a detail: tea easily absorbs odors, so if the can itself has an odor,…...

It is now the hottest time of the year, and most regions in the south have entered a hot and humid state. At this time, tea enthusiasts who have tea in their possession will face a severe challenge of storing tea during the summer. As we all know, tea leaves are very susceptible to environmental influences, and the requirements for storing tea are extremely strict. Especially with Pu'er tea, if stored well, it can become more fragrant over time and have collection value; if not stored properly, the tea can spoil, losing its drinking value and causing significant economic losses for individuals or businesses. Understanding the principles of tea transformation before storing tea is crucial for scientific storage. Factors Affecting Tea Transformation or Spoilage In fact, the transformation of tea leaves is directly related to temperature, humidity, oxygen, and light. Generally, the higher the temperature, the greater the humidity, the more sufficient the oxygen, and the stronger the light, the faster the oxidation, hydrolysis, polymerization, and other chemical reactions of the substances within the tea leaves will occur, resulting in a quicker change in taste components. Temperatures that are too high or too low are not conducive to the transformation…...