In recent years, various types of collecting have become wildly popular. Particularly with Pu'er Tea, numerous special editions have emerged. Although Pu'er tea has a high value for collection, one should not blindly follow the trend but rather proceed with caution. Here are some issues you may encounter when collecting Pu'er tea that you need to understand.
First, the dilemma of selection
The varieties of Yunnan Pu'er tea are abundant, including wild tea, ancient tree tea, plantation tea, new tea, aged tea, Pu'er raw tea, Pu'er ripe tea, sun-dried Green Tea, oven-dried green tea, pile-fermented, dry storage, humid storage, cakes, bricks, tuos, pillars, and more. For ordinary collectors, it is challenging to comprehend these terms within a short period. Additionally, with numerous tea factories in Yunnan, deciding which factory's specific batch and brand of tea is worth collecting can be confusing, even for experienced collectors.
Second, the dilemma of collecting
Not all Pu'er teas possess collectible value; to collect Pu'er tea, one must first choose investment-grade Pu'er tea. However, there is no universally accepted standard, akin to that of French Bordeaux wines. Therefore, most decisions are currently based on subjective understanding, primarily derived from comprehensive information provided by the market, manufacturers, and experts. This presents a significant challenge for most collectors.
Third, the dilemma of storage
Storing Pu'er tea is a major challenge for both individuals and organizations. Safe and reliable storage facilities and scientific storage methods are required, along with suitable storage conditions, capacity, and quality assurance, all of which are necessary for the appreciation of Pu'er tea as an investment. However, these requirements can be very difficult to meet for collectors who need to store large quantities of Pu'er tea.
Fourth, the dilemma of personal collecting
For individual collectors of Pu'er tea, the most pressing issue is often the lack of reliable and timely information. Without such information, many excellent collection opportunities are missed, as well as potential sales opportunities. In the world of collecting, information is key. To ensure successful buying low and selling high, a steady flow of information is essential, akin to having eyes in the market.
Fifth, the dilemma of quality
Currently, there is no unified, standardized, and scientifically rigorous quality standard system for Pu'er tea at the national level, making it difficult to authenticate its quality. The favorable outlook of the Pu'er tea market has also provided unscrupulous merchants and manufacturers seeking short-term gains with opportunities to produce substandard or even fake Pu'er tea. Unlike classical paintings, whose prices are regularly published in various media, the current circulation prices of Pu'er tea are ambiguous, leading to a lack of transparency and severely impacting consumer confidence. Many people recognize the value of Pu'er tea but hesitate to purchase it. Ensuring the quality of collected Pu'er tea is thus a critical issue for collectors to address.
Sixth, the dilemma of the commercial process of collecting and investing
Even if you have excellent Pu'er tea collections, you may not receive the expected return on your investment because you are unfamiliar with the commercial processes involved. Mastering these complex procedures can be challenging.
Seventh, the dilemma of development
As a manufacturer, knowing that a product with collectible value has been produced, one might want to retain a portion for collection, expecting higher profits than immediate sale. However, without selling, the product cannot be converted into cash, affecting further production. Thus, manufacturers are often forced to make difficult decisions, which is the development dilemma faced by Pu'er tea producers.
While Pu'er tea can be an excellent investment choice, one should base their decision on their own circumstances and acquire a deep understanding of related knowledge about Pu'er tea, such as variety selection, storage, Health benefits, and more. Only after thorough preparation can one hope to succeed in collecting Pu'er tea.