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 in airtight or vacuum jars, and do not pack the tea in a box in an unventilated area.
It's not suitable to seal Puer tea in plastic bags. Puer tea is a post-fermented tea that requires oxygen exchange with the air to undergo gradual transformation. If you use a plastic bag to package Puer tea, it will affect its transformation in later stages. Try to store it in a dry, well-ventilated area wrapped in cotton paper.
For tea that you plan to drink in the short term, it's recommended to store it in a sealed aluminum foil bag. Open the bag when breaking the tea, and return it to the sealed bag after taking out what you need. Besides sealed aluminum foil bags, you can also use glazed ceramic jars, tightly sealed tin cans, or purple clay jars, as long as they ensure airtightness, which will prevent excessive oxidation.
Puer tea should not be stored in the fridge all the time.
Puer tea cakes should not be stored in the fridge. The ideal storage environment for Puer tea is between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius, in a ventilated and dry area isolated from any strange smells. If Puer tea cakes are stored in a humid environment, they may develop mold and spoil, especially if the tea cakes are not completely dry. Storing them in the fridge can introduce moisture, leading to spoilage. Additionally, Puer tea cakes are very absorbent, and storing them in the fridge, which contains many different-smelling foods, can cause the tea to absorb these odors, affecting its taste.
The Three Key Factors for Storing Puer Tea
1. Constant Temperature: The temperature at which Puer tea is stored should not be too high or too low. It should be based on the local environment, without artificially creating a specific temperature. A normal indoor temperature is fine, ideally kept between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius. Too high a temperature can accelerate Fermentation and lead to a sour taste. Relatively speaking, Puer tea changes more quickly during spring, summer, and autumn than in Winter. Regardless of the time, Puer tea should not be exposed to direct sunlight and should be stored in a cool, shaded area.
2. Circulating Air: Circulating air contains more oxygen, which is beneficial for the growth of certain microorganisms in the tea, thus accelerating its transformation. However, Puer tea should not be hung outside on a balcony, as this would cause the tea's aroma and flavor to dissipate, resulting in a bland taste. Therefore, there should be moderate circulation of air, but the tea should not be placed near a draft. Additionally, ensure there are no surrounding odors, as the tea can absorb these smells. Consequently, the tea should not be stored in the kitchen or any other environment with household or industrial odors.
3. Moderate Humidity: High-quality Puer tea requires ‘dry storage,' meaning it should be stored in a dry environment. Avoid damp conditions. In overly dry environments, the aging process of Puer tea slows down, so some level of humidity is necessary. In drier environments, you can place a small cup of water near the stored tea to increase the air's humidity slightly. However, excessively humid conditions can cause rapid changes in Puer tea, often resulting in mold and rendering the tea undrinkable. Humidity should be controlled by humans, with the annual average not exceeding 75%. Since coastal areas have warm, oceanic climates, the humidity during the Plum rain season can exceed 75%, so it's important to open windows to ventilate and disperse moisture.