Those who enjoy drinking aged Pu'er tea usually keep some at home. However, those lacking storage experience often find their tea has molded, deteriorated, or developed strange odors after a few years. So, how should we correctly store Pu'er tea?
Storage Tips for Aged Pu'er Tea:
1. Avoid Contamination:
The environment where you store Pu'er tea must be free from contamination. This is a common concern when storing any type of tea, and it applies to Pu'er tea as well. Because Pu'er tea contains terpenoids and high molecular weight palmitic acid, it can quickly absorb the odors of other substances, which can mask or alter the tea's original scent. Therefore, when storing Pu'er tea at home, take strict precautions against common odors such as cooking oil, cosmetics, and medicines.
2. Avoid High Temperatures:
The storage temperature for raw Pu'er should not be too high or too low; a range of 20-40°C is most suitable. Higher temperatures can cause the tea to turn sour. In particular, during summer, high temperatures can accelerate the degradation of chlorophyll in Pu'er tea. Chlorophyll continuously transforms into demagnesium chlorophyll, changing the bright green color to a dark brown. High temperatures also exacerbate the autoxidation of polyphenols and other compounds, accelerating the browning process and increasing the likelihood of the tea aging improperly.
3. Avoid Moisture:
Summer is a rainy season, and rain brings excessive moisture. Pu'er tea is a porous, loose body that contains many hygroscopic compounds, making it prone to absorbing moisture and becoming damp. When the moisture content exceeds 8%, the tea will deteriorate more rapidly and can even develop mold if microorganisms grow.
4. Avoid Light:
The light in summer is stronger than in other seasons. Plant pigments and lipids in Pu'er tea can undergo photodegradation, resulting in sun-scorched and stale flavors. High-quality Pu'er teas are particularly sensitive to light, with exposure for just ten days causing discoloration. Therefore, it's important to store tea in a dark place.
5. Avoid Odd Odors:
In summer, items tend to emit their own odors more easily due to higher temperatures, which can cause Pu'er tea to absorb odd odors and deteriorate. Since tea is a porous and loose material, it is very susceptible to absorbing odd odors. Therefore, in summer, extra care should be taken to avoid storing Pu'er tea alongside items with strong odors.
6. Storage Methods:
Use bamboo wrappers, as this type of packaging helps filter out impurities during the post-fermentation process, ensuring the tea remains pure.
For enthusiasts of aged Pu'er tea, it is best to purchase whole batches or packages of tea, as this makes storage more convenient. If there is frequent rain, you can place the whole package in a plastic bag inside a Cardboard box, keeping it off the ground. Check on it every three to five months.
For individual cakes of aged Pu'er tea or leftover tea, it is recommended to store them in sealed kraft Paper bags or resealable bags. If you don't drink the tea frequently, open the bags every few months to let the tea breathe. Some tea enthusiasts have mentioned that the Humidity in their area is so high that even stones would mold. In such cases, I recommend sealing the tea in a plastic bag and placing bamboo Charcoal around the Cardboard box to absorb excess moisture.