To achieve the status of being more fragrant, valuable, and desirable with age, Pu'er Tea must meet three criteria: good raw materials, good processing techniques, and proper storage conditions. Generally, the optimal period for ripe Pu'er is around 10 years, while that for raw Pu'er is around 20 years. However, it's important to remember that tea is meant to be consumed, not just stored.
The Foundation for Pu'er Tea Increasing in Value with Age
Not all Pu'er tea improves with age to become “more fragrant and valuable.” In addition to the quality of the raw materials and the processing methods used, the storage environment during aging significantly impacts its overall transformation.
If the raw materials are of poor quality or if improper processing leads to premature consumption of the internal substances, such Pu'er tea does not possess the potential for beneficial aging. Similarly, inadequate storage can ruin the tea.
Pu'er tea that has aged without an improvement in quality, or even becomes less enjoyable than fresh tea, cannot be expected to increase in value.
What Kind of Pu'er Tea Is Worth Storing
1. Brand. There are many old teas circulating in the market today, but almost all mainstream, well-known, and higher-priced aged teas come from a few major brands. This highlights the importance of brand reputation; aged teas from big brands have greater potential for appreciation in value.
2. Quality. Ultimately, Pu'er tea should return to its drinking value. Therefore, the potential for an aged tea to increase in value depends on the quality of the tea itself, primarily determined by the quality of the raw materials.
3. Storage. As a post-Fermentation tea, storage plays a crucial role in shaping the quality of Pu'er tea. For example, consider the famous 1996 Zi Dayi. Even if it is well-known, if your storage conditions are poor—such as storing it in a Damp environment—the aroma will not be pure, and the taste may be unpleasant. How then can it appreciate in value?
If you do not have a deep understanding of the industry or lack knowledge about tea storage, it is recommended that you do not store tea to avoid falling into traps. If you have considerable knowledge about the Pu'er tea industry, especially regarding teas from reputable factories, you can consider purchasing some for storage.