Pu'er ripened tea has no expiration date and can be stored long-term. However, this does not mean that ripened Pu'er can be stored indefinitely; it is generally suitable for drinking after being stored for three to five years. In comparison, raw Pu'er tea requires around ten years of storage to reach its optimal drinking period. Ripened Pu'er has no expiration date—Pu'er ripened tea can be stored long-term without an expiration date, as long as it is kept under standard storage conditions, Pu'er tea can continue to be stored.
How Long is the Expiration Date for Pu'er Ripened Tea?
Yunnan Pu'er tea tends to improve with age, and its Shelf life can extend from 10 to 20 years. Similarly, aged Wuyi rock tea often has a richer aroma and more robust flavor. Hunan's dark tea, Hubei's Fu Brick tea, Guangxi's Liubao tea, and others will not spoil but rather improve in quality if stored properly. Generally, however, most teas are best when fresh. For example, green tea typically has a shelf life of about one year at room temperature. However, factors such as temperature, light, and humidity significantly impact the quality of tea. If stored correctly by mitigating or eliminating these factors, tea can retain its quality for a longer time. To determine whether tea has expired, consider the following: check if it has developed mold or a stale smell; if it's green tea, see if it has turned red, with a brownish or dull broth; assess if the concentration, astringency, and freshness of the flavor have diminished. Additionally, check the expiration date on the packaging. For loose leaf tea, it is best not to consume it after 18 months. The above information should help you understand the shelf life of Pu'er tea and how to determine if tea has expired.
How to Store Pu'er Ripened Tea
1. Avoid Oxygen
In the summer, the primary concern in storing Pu'er tea is avoiding oxygen exposure. This is because the polyphenols in Pu'er tea are potent Antioxidants and are therefore highly susceptible to oxidation. Oxidized tea will result in a deep yellow infusion lacking the characteristic fragrance of Pu'er.
2. Avoid Contamination
The environment where Pu'er tea is stored must be free from contamination. Contamination is something to avoid when storing any type of tea, including Pu'er. Due to the presence of terpenoids and high molecular weight palmitic acid, Pu'er tea can rapidly absorb other odors, masking or altering its own scent. Therefore, it is crucial to prevent common household odors like cooking oil, cosmetics, and medications from contaminating the tea during home storage.
3. Avoid High Temperatures
The storage temperature for raw Pu'er should not be too high or too low, with 20 to 30 degrees Celsius being the most suitable range. Higher temperatures can cause the tea to develop an acidic taste.
High summer temperatures accelerate the degradation of chlorophyll in Pu'er tea, leading to the conversion of chlorophyll into pheophytin, which changes the vibrant green color to a dark brown. Moreover, high temperatures also expedite the auto-oxidation of polyphenols, contributing to the aging and potential spoilage of the tea.
4. Avoid Moisture
Summer is the rainy season, bringing substantial humidity. Pu'er tea is a porous material, and many of its components are hygroscopic, making it susceptible to moisture absorption and subsequent dampness. When the moisture content exceeds 8%, the tea accelerates in deterioration and becomes prone to microbial growth and spoilage.
5. Avoid Light
The summer light is stronger than in other seasons. Plant pigments and lipids in Pu'er tea are susceptible to photochemical reactions, resulting in sun-dried flavors and accelerated aging. High-quality Pu'er tea is particularly sensitive to light, changing color after just 10 days of exposure. Therefore, it is important to store tea in a dark place to avoid light exposure.
6. Avoid Odors
In summer, items tend to emit their own odors more readily due to higher temperatures, making Pu'er tea more susceptible to absorbing off-flavors. Since tea is a porous substance, it easily absorbs odors. Therefore, extra care should be taken in summer to ensure that Pu'er tea is not stored alongside items with strong odors.