Quality Pu'er tea is the result of quality fresh leaves + excellent production + good storage. Pu'er tea has the characteristic of becoming more fragrant with age, which is also the reason why tea enthusiasts enjoy collecting it. When collecting Pu'er tea, storage is an extremely important aspect.
The Importance of Storage for Pu'er Tea
Mentioning Pu'er tea, one cannot avoid the topic of “becoming more fragrant with age.” For Pu'er tea to become more fragrant over time, it not only requires high-quality raw materials and strict production processes but also appropriate storage.
Good storage can make the taste of Pu'er tea increasingly rich, bringing pleasure to those who Drink it. On the other hand, poor storage not only ruins a good tea but also saddens the person storing it. Therefore, good storage is very important for the quality of Pu'er tea to improve over time.
What are the main factors that determine the quality of Pu'er tea storage?
The four primary factors that determine the aging condition of Pu'er tea are temperature, Humidity, ventilation, and absence of foreign odors. The ideal environment for storing Pu'er tea should have a moderate temperature; if too high, it may accelerate the aging process, and if too high, the tea may become charred. If the temperature is too low, it will slow down the aging process and reduce economic benefits. Relative humidity should be between 65% and 75%; if too high, it can cause the tea to deteriorate, and if too low, it will also slow down the aging process. The storage conditions for Pu'er tea significantly influence its future changes. The location of the Warehouse for storing Pu'er tea is crucial; it should be in a place with good air circulation, cool, without direct sunlight, dry, clean, and free from foreign odors.
Tea absorbs odors. From a scientific perspective, this is due to the presence of terpenoid compounds and high molecular palmitic acid in the tea, allowing it to absorb the smell of other substances within hours, ultimately altering or masking its own scent. An overly humid storage environment can cause the tea to develop mold. Once tea is tainted by off-flavors or mold, at best it becomes unpleasant to consume, and at worst it becomes undrinkable and a wasted effort in collection.
When storing Pu'er tea long-term, it is essential to prevent contamination. Ripe tea should be stored in relatively dry areas. When arranging the tea, it should be placed about 15 centimeters above the ground and not touching the wall. The tea should be rearranged periodically. The Fermentation process of Pu'er tea is critical. The moisture in the air is very important for the transformation of Pu'er tea, so in general storage, do not seal it with plastic film bags or metal Containers.
Nowadays, Pu'er tea enthusiasts are pursuing “dry storage.” “Dry storage” refers to the natural aging of Pu'er tea stored in the above conditions, not placing the tea in a completely dry environment isolated from air. Under the same conditions, different raw materials transform at different rates (during the production of ripe tea, water addition and temperature and humidity control vary depending on the material), so adjustments to the storage environment should be made based on the specific type of tea being stored.
Thus, we can conclude: good tea is hard to come by and difficult to replicate.
Dry-stored Pu'er: Generally refers to storing tea in a space with good ventilation and dryness, where the relative humidity is around 50%-70%, and the moisture content of the tea does not exceed 7% for a long time. Regarding dry-stored Pu'er, the most famous is “Kunming-stored” Pu'er tea. Pu'er tea stored in Kunming retains its inherent characteristics while undergoing transformation. Next are Northern storages, followed by professional equipment storage facilities.