Pu'er Tea has a Shelf life of 10 to 20 years. Made from unique large-leaf varieties, Pu'er tea is categorized into raw and ripe types based on its processing method. Its thick and robust leaves are rich in flavor and have the potential for aging, hence there isn't a fixed expiration date. It is generally believed that Pu'er tea can be stored for 15 to 20 years. According to the national standard GBT22111-2008, under proper storage conditions, Pu'er tea can be preserved for an extended period.
How does the national standard define the shelf life of Pu'er tea?
From the definition of Pu'er tea itself: Pu'er tea is made from sun-dried tea leaves produced in specific regions of Yunnan, which undergo post-fermentation and can be processed as loose or compressed tea. Therefore, the national standard provides a guideline for the shelf life, stating that under the conditions specified in GBT22111-2008, Pu'er tea can be stored long-term.
However, long-term storage ≠ permanent storage
In 1963, during the disposal of Qing dynasty tribute teas at the Forbidden City in Beijing, over two tons of aged teas were discovered, including some Pu'er teas. In Wang Yufeng's article “Pu'er Tea and the Qing Dynasty,” he mentioned: “On October 23, 1963, I had the chance to see these aged tribute teas at the Beijing Tea Factory. The Pu'er tea cakes ranged in size from that of a watermelon (slightly flattened) to that of a tennis ball or ping pong ball, with a dark brown color and no signs of mold or spoilage, well-preserved.” At the time, experts tried brewing some of these tribute teas, commenting: “The tea liquor was colored, but the tea had aged and become light in flavor.”
The post-aging lifespan of Pu'er tea does not have a unified industry standard. Generally, in environments with higher temperatures and Humidity, the transformation process occurs much faster than in cooler, drier environments. New tea has a yellow-green liquor with a pronounced green taste; depending on the raw materials, there may be a sweet aroma, and it is normal to have both bitterness and astringency.
After storing new tea for 3 to 10 years, the liquor subtly changes, becoming more yellowish-red, with less green taste and a faint honey aroma, while the bitterness and astringency also lessen. Significant changes occur between 10 and 20 years, with the liquor turning distinctly red and viscous, the green taste disappearing entirely, a honey-sweet aroma becoming prominent, the initial hints of aged aroma appearing, and the bitterness and astringency almost completely gone, if present, dissipating very quickly. The infused leaves change from yellow to yellow-brown.
After 20 years, the tea is considered to be in the later stages of transformation, with a deep red liquor resembling fine wine, a fruity acidity, a full aged aroma, no bitterness or astringency, and a smooth, viscous mouthfeel that melts upon entry. The tea cakes are black and lustrous, while the infused leaves are light brown.
How should Pu'er tea be stored?
1. Cardboard box storage method
To store tea effectively, preventing dampness is key. If you have plastic bags at home, you can place the Pu'er tea directly inside, seal the Bag, and put it in a cardboard box. This method is very convenient. However, this method is more suitable for northern regions where the climate is dry year-round. Placing the cardboard box on the ground will protect it from moisture. However, southern regions experience high rainfall throughout the year, especially during the plum rain season when walls can be wet, making this method unsuitable.
2. Ceramic jar storage method
This is the best storage method. When purchasing jars, try to choose ceramic ones, which not only block out light but also help preserve the tea's aroma.
What is the typical shelf life of Pu'er tea? The shelf life of raw Pu'er tea is significantly longer than that of ripe Pu'er tea. When purchasing Pu'er tea, it is important to distinguish between the two types, and remember that the shelf life is secondary to how the tea is stored.