Most of the Pu'er tea that tea enthusiasts drink daily is stored in the form of Cake tea. However, for a single serving, only about 7 to 8 grams of dry tea are used. Once the package has been opened, how should the remaining tea be stored? Should it be wrapped back up in the same cotton paper used before? Furthermore, can unwrapped Pu'er tea continue to improve with age? How long can it be preserved? Today, let's answer these questions together:
How to Store Unwrapped Pu'er Tea Cakes
1. If only a small portion has been removed and consumed, and the tea cake has not been entirely unwrapped, you can use the original cotton paper to rewrap the remaining tea cake. Store it in a dry place away from light, monitoring any changes in the environment. An opened tea cake cannot be stored for an extended period; it is recommended to consume the rest gradually.
2. For completely unwrapped Pu'er tea cakes, they can be stored in clean purple clay jars or earthenware pots, taking care to protect them from moisture and sunlight. Do not seal the lids tightly; instead, place a bamboo Charcoal bag near the lid opening to absorb moisture, which is beneficial for preventing dampness.
3. When storing Pu'er tea cakes, ensure protection from moisture, light, and odors. However, do not seal the lids completely to avoid light; allow some ventilation as this helps promote the aging process of the Pu'er tea cakes. Storing unwrapped Pu'er tea cakes in jars also serves as a process to awaken the tea, allowing the leaves to gradually come to life within the jar.
4. Alternatively, unwrapped Pu'er tea cakes can be stored in kraft paper bags or cardboard boxes, ensuring the packaging is clean and odor-free. Once a tea cake has been partially broken apart, it is not recommended for long-term storage; it is best to consume it within two months. The tea cake can be stored in the Refrigerator after being properly packaged, but take care to prevent any absorption of odors.
How Long Can Unwrapped Pu'er Tea Be Stored?
Generally speaking, raw Pu'er tea requires 10 to 15 years for its flavor to develop a noticeable aged aroma, while ripe tea needs 5 to 10 years. There is no set time limit for how long Pu'er tea can be stored, as it depends largely on the storage conditions and the richness of the substances contained in the tea.
However, completely disassembled Pu'er tea is not recommended for long-term storage, and it is best to consume it within one to two years. If you need a specific timeframe, the author cannot provide an exact answer. Completely disassembled Pu'er tea comes into full contact with air, which is not conducive to the transformation of substances in the tea. Oxidation will accelerate, and the aroma will dissipate quickly. The longer such tea is stored, the worse its flavor becomes.
After aging, the bitterness in raw tea decreases, the mouthfeel becomes richer, and the aroma transforms from fresh to aged. The transformation in ripe tea is less significant, as there is no reduction in bitterness. However, ripe tea may have a musty taste in its early years, which requires time to dissipate. Ripe tea stored under suitable conditions might develop a desirable medicinal aroma, becoming a rare delicacy.