Pu'er raw Tea, if stored in a sealed form, can be preserved for a longer time. However, if it's loose Pu'er raw tea, the general shelf life is around 10 to 20 years. To ensure the tea maintains its quality and aroma, it needs to be stored under proper conditions.
Pu'er loose tea, due to its loose shape, is convenient to use. Its larger surface area exposed to air accelerates the aging process, but this also means that the aromatic compounds in the tea can easily volatilize. Additionally, loose tea is more susceptible to damage and requires higher standards for storage conditions (air temperature, Humidity, light), making it less suitable for long-term storage. Generally, after three years of storage, the aroma of Pu'er loose tea becomes significantly weaker.
In summary, Pu'er loose tea is better suited for short-term consumption. If stored long-term, it may not retain as much of its drinking value. Regarding its shelf life, we should not store it for too long. For daily consumption, buying small quantities and replenishing as needed is a good practice.
Tea does have a shelf life, which varies depending on the type of tea. For example, Pu'er tea from Yunnan and brick tea from ethnic minorities improve with age and can have a shelf life of 10 to 20 years. Similarly, aged Wuyi rock tea often has a richer aroma and flavor. Other teas like Hunan dark tea, Hubei Fu brick tea, and Guangxi Liubao tea can also improve in quality if stored properly.
For most types of tea, freshness is preferred. For instance, the shelf life of green tea at room temperature is typically around one year. However, factors such as temperature, light, and humidity can affect the quality of the tea. Proper storage methods that mitigate these factors can extend the tea's shelf life.
To determine whether tea has expired, consider the following: signs of mold or a stale smell, changes in color for green tea (turning red) and a change in the tea's infusion color to brown or dull, and a decrease in taste concentration, astringency, and freshness. Additionally, check the Expiration date on the packaging. For loose tea, it is best not to consume it after 18 months.