Storing Pu'er tea requires attention to sealing, avoiding light, preventing dampness and off-flavors, while also considering humidity and temperature. When storing, you can use a Cardboard Box; find a clean cardboard box, put the Pu'er tea inside, and store it in a tea room away from walls and the floor. For individual Pu'er tea cakes, you can use kraft Paper bags or aluminum foil bags for storage, seal them well, and then place them in a ventilated area free of moisture.
How to Store Pu'er Tea Cakes
1. Pu'er tea cakes are compressed from Pu'er tea leaves. Initially, they were made for convenience in transportation, so the shape and production method of Pu'er tea cakes determine their ability to be stored for a long time.
For storing Pu'er tea cakes, you can choose clay jars, as they have good breathability and naturally provide ventilation. Clay jars do not need to be sealed; simply cover them with a layer of kraft paper to prevent dust.
2. When you first bring new Pu'er tea cakes home, avoid sealing them immediately for storage. Instead, let them air out in a dry place to get rid of any warehouse flavor.
New Pu'er tea cakes may have a slight warehouse flavor when taken out of storage, so it's beneficial to air them out.
If you plan to drink the Pu'er tea cakes regularly, you can wrap them in Xuan paper or kraft paper, without needing to seal them.
3. If you are fortunate enough to acquire some aged or collectible-grade Pu'er tea cakes, these do not need further ventilation since they are already considered to have developed a certain character.
For long-term storage of such Pu'er tea cakes, it's best to place them in a sealed Ceramic jar, leaving the outer wrapping paper intact. This ensures that the flavor of the Pu'er tea cakes remains unaffected.
Storage Tips for Pu'er Tea Cakes
1. Store them away from direct sunlight to avoid photodegradation.
Tea cakes are prone to oxidation, which can cause red discoloration and give the tea a sunned flavor.
2. Do not store tea cakes uncovered.
Tea cakes are susceptible to oxidation and should be stored using tea bags, tea jars, bamboo shells, etc. Single cakes can be wrapped in white cotton paper bags, while whole bundles or cases should remain in their original packaging without being re-packaged. (Note: Whole bundles are often packaged in bamboo shells or kraft paper bags; whole cases are typically packed in cardboard boxes, wooden boxes, or bamboo containers.)
3. Keep raw and ripe teas separate to avoid flavor contamination.
4. Store your tea away from sources of strong odors or excessively humid areas.
For example, keep them away from kitchens with strong cooking odors to avoid flavor contamination.
5. Always store tea off the ground to prevent dampness.
In addition, tea enthusiasts should adjust their storage methods based on the temperature and humidity of their storage environment. For instance, during damp and rainy weather, waterproof sealable bags or plastic bags can be used for storage, whereas during drier weather, windows can be opened for ventilation. In summary, tea storage should be adjusted according to the specific needs of the tea and the environment, rather than rigidly adhering to either sealed storage or open-air storage.