Pu-erh Tea

Some tea enthusiasts pay meticulous attention to selecting the right ingredients and ensuring high-quality tea, often going to great lengths. However, when it comes to storing the tea, they tend to be rather casual. They might simply seal their purchased tea in a plastic bag, thinking that everything is taken care of. Little do they know that for Pu'er tea, such an approach can be somewhat misplaced. It's important to understand that to awaken the third life of Pu'er tea, choosing the right tea is just the first step. Equally crucial is properly storing the tea and doing so correctly. Should Pu'er tea be sealed in a plastic bag for storage? 1. Pu'er tea should not be stored in a plastic bag, as Pu'er tea is a post-fermentation tea that needs to be kept in a breathable container or bag to continue its aging process. A sealed environment like a plastic bag would inhibit the activity of enzymes in the tea, preventing the desired transformation of the Pu'er tea. 2. Therefore, it is common to store Pu'er tea in Yixing clay pots or earthenware jars. These materials have excellent breathability, allowing whole tea cakes or opened cakes to be stored…...

Tea enthusiasts often keep a substantial amount of tea at home. Some may even store their tea in the fridge, or purchase a small fridge specifically for this purpose.However, this is a common misconception. Whether tea should be stored in the fridge depends on the type of tea. Here are some general guidelines for storing tea in the fridge: 1. Suitable for Refrigeration Green tea and lightly oxidized Oolong tea. Among the six major types of tea, green tea is the most prone to spoilage and requires extra care during storage. You can place the tea in a sealed tea tin, put it in a sealed bag, and then store it in the fridge. Lightly oxidized Tieguanyin (Iron Goddess) and Phoenix Dancong tea that has been dehumidified can also be stored in the fridge. 2. Not Suitable for Refrigeration Dark tea, Pu'er tea, traditionally processed Oolong tea, aged teas, and white tea. Pu'er tea, white tea, and dark tea emphasize the value derived from aging. Storing these teas in the fridge not only risks dampness but also reduces the activity of biological enzymes within the tea, which affects the tea's transformation efficiency. Traditionally processed Oolong teas, such as Wuyi Rock…...

This article constructs a flavor wheel for Pu'er tea and Fu brick tea from the dimensions of aroma and taste, establishing a sensory quantitative descriptive vocabulary list for both teas. The aim is to determine sensory descriptive terms that can be used to describe Pu'er tea and Fu brick tea, providing application value for distinguishing, evaluating their sensory characteristics, and developing products related to these teas. In this study, 35 representative samples of Pu'er tea and 35 of Fu brick tea from different years and origins were selected (Table 1). Referring to the black tea sensory evaluation method in GB/T 23776—2018 "Sensory Evaluation Method for Tea," the aroma and taste of the teas were evaluated. This led to a comprehensive understanding of the sensory flavor characteristics of both types of black tea and the further construction of a flavor wheel. The Pu'er tea flavor wheel, as shown in Figure 1, includes two categories: aroma and taste. The outermost layer contains specific descriptors, totaling 40. Aroma descriptors include aged fragrance, camphor aroma, ginseng-like aroma, herbal medicine aroma, soybean aroma, hay aroma, jujube aroma, lactic acid scent, fresh aroma, floral honey aroma, mushroom aroma, smoky charred scent, and 31 others. Taste descriptors…...

The Chinese yearning for natural landscapes is inscribed in our very genes. When climbing mountains, one expresses emotions through them; when seeing water, sentiments are felt within it. Since ancient times, countless literati and poets have poured their true feelings into the vast expanse of nature. Every blade of grass, every tree, every cliff, and every ravine in Wuyi Mountain reveals its beauty in the leisurely flow of wild streams and the grandeur of bell sounds at great heights, standing out in the southeast of China. 01 WUYI MOUNTAIN Jade peaks and emerald covers, blue waters and vermilion mountains Transformed by wind and rain into jade bones, they defy ordinary interpretations. In his fifties, Lu You, serving as the vice magistrate of Jian'ning Prefecture in northern Fujian, was captivated by the wonders of Wuyi Mountain. Here, he brewed tea, enjoyed it, composed poetry, and wrote magnificent verses such as "A Tour of Wuyi Mountain." The Wuyi Mountains, stretching for thousands of miles, are a significant feature in southeastern China. With hundreds of peaks over 1,000 meters high, Wuyi Mountain stands tall, its main peak Huanggang Mountain reaching 2,160.8 meters, rivaling the Five Great Mountains, and known as the "Roof of…...

Kneading is a process in the production of Pu'er tea after the fresh leaves have been subjected to initial fixation. It involves using external force to shape the tea leaves into strips and breaking down the cellular structure of the fresh leaves, allowing the internal substances of the tea to adhere to the surface of the leaves. The significance of this process lies in rupturing cell walls to release tea juice, facilitating the polymerization of components such as polyphenols and catechins, preparing the tea for later fermentation, and curling loose tea leaves into strips, which helps with the even release of internal substances during brewing. The strength of kneading, duration, and cell breakage rate are closely related to the taste, aroma, and subsequent transformation of Pu'er tea. Cold Kneading vs. Hot Kneading The principle of kneading is to use hot kneading for older leaves and cold kneading for younger leaves, as well as heavy kneading for older leaves and gentle kneading for younger ones. Based on personal experience in tea production, Pu'er tea requires heavy kneading, which is not done in one go but rather through repeated kneading. The purpose of "repeated kneading" is essentially to supplement the first "natural…...

Tea plants are perennial evergreen shrubs, and environmental pollutants accumulate in tea gardens and within the plants over time. Due to their large leaf surface area, tea plants have a higher initial deposition of pesticides or adsorb higher concentrations of environmental pollutants under the same dosage and air pollution levels compared to other crops. With multiple harvests per year, the interval between pesticide application and harvest is short, reducing the time for pesticide degradation. After picking, tea leaves are directly processed into dried tea, which is then steeped for consumption, causing any pesticide residues or pollutants to leach into the tea infusion based on their solubility. Therefore, the ecological environment of tea gardens and the quality safety of tea products receive significant attention. I. Development of Pest Management Technologies in China 1. Traditional Control Stage Before the 1940s, tea gardens were scattered and sporadic, with relatively few pest outbreaks. Pest control technologies were also rudimentary. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, although tea production rapidly developed, pest management in tea gardens remained at the stage of agricultural control measures and the use of plant-based pesticides. Although this period was technologically primitive from an ecological perspective, the populations…...

Never keep the tea sealed all the time; airtight storage is fatal to the transformation of the tea. It's important to emphasize "sealed," but it also needs appropriate ventilation. For example, if the weather clears up after being sealed for some time, we can open the self-sealing bag to ventilate after one or two clear days, and then seal it again after 7-8 hours. Once the rainy season has passed and humidity decreases, we can open the self-sealing bag and store the tea naturally. Puer tea must not be stored airtight all the time. Puer tea cannot be stored airtight, and the warehouse where the tea is stored needs appropriate ventilation. It's essential to keep the room clean and not to store the tea with other objects that have a strong smell, as Puer tea is highly absorbent and can easily pick up odors over time. The best way to store Puer tea is in a purple clay jar, not in airtight glass containers. The method of storing Puer tea is simple: just place the tea in a cool, ventilated area without any strange smells. Generally, avoid direct sunlight, do not store it in the refrigerator, do not place it…...

The shelf life of Pu'er tea is typically 10 to 20 years. Pu'er tea is made from unique large-leaf varieties, and depending on the production process, it is divided into raw (sheng) and ripe (shou) categories. Its leaves are thick and substantial, rich in content, and capable of aging, so there is no fixed expiration date. Generally, it is believed that it can be stored for 15 to 20 years. According to GBT22111-2008 Pu'er Tea standards, under proper storage conditions, it can be kept for a long time. The Shelf Life of Pu'er Tea In daily life, when purchasing food items, we always check the expiration dates, and this applies to tea as well. However, with the variety of tea types, different processing methods, and varying characteristics, each type of tea will have a different shelf life. Observant tea enthusiasts have noticed: green tea, when stored at low temperatures, has a shelf life of about one year; black tea generally lasts for 2 to 3 years; when checking the expiration date of Pu'er tea, it usually says "can be stored for a long time under proper conditions." This leads many enthusiasts to wonder, "Does Pu'er tea expire?" Currently, the most…...

Puer tea does not need to be stored in the fridge, as the high humidity and low temperature within a fridge, along with its sealed environment, make it more susceptible to dampness and odor absorption, which is detrimental to enzymatic activity. Puer tea is a post-fermentation tea that improves with age under proper storage conditions. Puer Tea: Should It Be Stored in the Fridge? Puer tea does not need to be stored in the fridge, as the high humidity and low temperature within a fridge, along with its sealed environment, make it more susceptible to dampness and odor absorption, which is detrimental to enzymatic activity. Furthermore, puer tea is a post-fermentation tea that requires air and temperature for its substance conversion. Therefore, under normal circumstances, storing it at room temperature, in a well-ventilated and dry environment is sufficient. What Types of Tea Need to Be Stored in the Fridge? Green tea, floral teas, yellow tea, and lightly fragrant oolong tea should be refrigerated. These types of tea undergo minimal or no fermentation, making their internal substances highly reactive to oxygen and environmental factors. Storing them in the fridge helps isolate them from external influences and maintains their stability. However, when…...

We have learned a lot about how to store Pu'er tea, mostly focusing on the storage methods for whole cakes. But how should we store opened Pu'er tea? How to Store an Opened Pu'er Tea Cake 1. If you only pry off a small portion to drink and haven’t fully opened the cake, you can use the original cotton paper to wrap up the remaining tea cake and store it in a dry place away from light, keeping an eye on any changes in the environment. Once opened, the tea cake cannot be stored for a long time and should be consumed gradually afterwards. 2. If the Pu'er tea cake has been completely opened, you can store it in a clean purple clay jar or ceramic jar, taking care to prevent dampness and sunlight. Do not seal the lid tightly; instead, place a bamboo charcoal bag at the opening, which can absorb moisture and is very beneficial for preventing dampness. 3. When storing Pu'er tea cakes, it’s essential to keep them away from dampness, light, and strong odors. However, don’t completely seal the container to avoid light; ensure there is some ventilation, as this is conducive to the aging of…...

Pu'er tea values its vintage, and many enthusiasts are passionate about collecting and drinking aged teas. When it comes to the vintage of Pu'er tea, storage is a natural topic of discussion. Besides raw materials and processing techniques, proper storage is crucial in determining the quality of Pu'er tea, ensuring it improves with age. Some tea merchants can establish professional facilities to store Pu'er tea, controlling factors such as humidity and temperature to ensure optimal aging conditions. However, for most merchants and enthusiasts, such professional storage is not feasible, and they must rely on natural conditions. Under these circumstances, the transformation and quality of Pu'er tea are largely determined by the natural climate. Natural storage of Pu'er tea essentially means dry storage. By "dry storage," we mean a clean and relatively dry environment. Cleanliness is the priority, with moderate dryness! The aging process of Pu'er tea requires both humidity and temperature. Extensive practice and scientific research have shown that the transformation of Pu'er tea involves enzymatic reactions and microbial fermentation, leading to changes in taste. Microorganisms, referred to as beneficial bacteria, play a key role in this transformation. These beneficial bacteria and enzymatic reactions thrive best at temperatures around 20°C…...

Speaking of the Kunming warehouse, storing Pu'er raw tea for around twenty years is completely feasible. However, many teas are consumed before they reach that age, which leads to the notion that Pu'er tea does not have an expiration date. Compared to storage duration, I believe that the storage environment is the key point, as a good storage environment ensures proper transformation of Pu'er tea over time. Don’t waste your fine tea due to improper preservation. How Long is the Shelf Life of Pu'er Raw Tea?In the process of storing Pu'er tea, you should choose appropriate methods based on the specific conditions of the tea rather than simply focusing on the length of storage time.The aroma components in Pu'er raw tea mainly consist of alkenes, aromatic ring alcohols, aldehydes and ketones, phenols, heterocyclic compounds, lactones, hydrocarbons, etc. These components present different fragrances, so when tasting Pu'er tea, one often experiences various levels of fragrance, which are directly related to the raw materials used and the storage process. If the storage conditions are excellent, Pu'er tea can be preserved for at least 30-40 years, although its taste and health benefits will be significantly reduced.It's important to note that for storing Pu'er…...