Aging High Roasted Oolong

 

Readers would know me that I like high roasted oolong very much.   Most of my high roasted oolong are those tinned ones as you see in the pix. 

There is not much effort needed to store and age my oolong. I just leave these unopened tins alone and store them together with my pu erh tea collection. 

If you own one of the tinned oolong, you would have realised that most of these tins are double lidded. This may indicate that the storage tin is quite airtight.....which suggest that airflow is not important in storing and aging oolong. 

This is what I found. These tinned oolong will developed an aged taste from 6-8 years of storage. The taste is like a pleasant Chinese medicinal concoction.  I enjoy this taste very much. The aged taste will be more pronounced with further time in storage. 

There is one exception.  The super high roasted Tie Kuan Yin from Fukien teashop, Hong Kong (see 2nd pix). One of my favourites but this tea will not age well. This oolong will loose its caramel and high roasted aroma within a year of purchase. Mr Yeo, the proprietor of Fukien Tea, said that this tea is best enjoyed within a year of purchase. The tea is not meant for aging.

Time for tea.  

Pu erh Storage - A Deepseek Answer

 

How to age pu erh?  I asked the latest AI assistant, Deepseek.  

Here is the answer, complete and unedited -

Aging Pu-erh tea is a traditional practice that enhances its flavor, aroma, and complexity over time. Proper storage conditions are crucial to ensure the tea ages well and develops desirable characteristics. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to age Pu-erh tea:

### **1. Choose the Right Pu-erh Tea**
- **Raw Pu-erh (Sheng)**: Best for aging, as it undergoes natural fermentation and develops complex flavors over time.
- **Ripe Pu-erh (Shou)**: Already fermented and aged artificially, so it doesn't change as dramatically as raw Pu-erh. However, it can still improve slightly with proper storage.

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### **2. Storage Environment**
The key to aging Pu-erh tea is maintaining the right environment. Here are the ideal conditions:

#### **A. Humidity**
- **Optimal Range**: 60–70% relative humidity.
- **Why**: Too dry, and the tea won't ferment properly; too humid, and it may develop mold.
- **Tip**: Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity levels.

#### **B. Temperature**
- **Optimal Range**: 20–30°C (68–86°F).
- **Why**: Consistent, moderate temperatures encourage gradual fermentation.
- **Tip**: Avoid extreme temperature fluctuations.

#### **C. Airflow**
- **Needs**: Some airflow to prevent mold and allow the tea to "breathe."
- **Why**: Stagnant air can lead to musty flavors.
- **Tip**: Store the tea in a breathable container or wrap it in porous paper.

#### **D. Light**
- **Needs**: Keep away from direct sunlight and strong artificial light.
- **Why**: Light can degrade the tea and affect its flavor.

#### **E. Odor-Free Environment**
- **Needs**: Store away from strong odors (e.g., spices, cleaning products).
- **Why**: Pu-erh tea can absorb surrounding smells, which may alter its aroma.

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### **3. Storage Containers**
- **Clay Jars**: Ideal for aging Pu-erh, as they allow slight airflow and maintain stable humidity.
- **Paper Wrapping**: Traditional method; wrap the tea in porous paper and store it in a cool, dark place.
- **Wooden Boxes**: Good for airflow but ensure the wood is untreated and odor-free.
- **Bamboo Leaf Wrapping**: Often used for compressed Pu-erh cakes; helps maintain humidity.

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### **4. Monitoring and Maintenance**
- **Check Regularly**: Inspect the tea every few months for mold or off-odors.
- **Rotate the Tea**: If storing multiple cakes, rotate their positions to ensure even aging.
- **Adjust Humidity**: Use a humidifier or dehumidifier if necessary to maintain optimal levels.

---

### **5. Aging Timeline**
- **Short-Term (1–5 years)**: The tea will mellow, with grassy or astringent notes softening.
- **Medium-Term (5–10 years)**: Develops deeper, richer flavors with hints of fruit, honey, or wood.
- **Long-Term (10+ years)**: Achieves a complex, smooth profile with earthy, medicinal, or aged notes.

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### **6. Common Mistakes to Avoid**
- **Over-Humidifying**: Can lead to mold and spoilage.
- **Sealing in Plastic**: Prevents airflow and can trap moisture, leading to mold.
- **Exposing to Light**: Degrades the tea and affects its flavor.
- **Storing Near Odors**: Pu-erh can absorb surrounding smells.

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### **7. Enjoying Aged Pu-erh**
- **Brewing**: Use a gaiwan or Yixing teapot for the best experience. Rinse the tea leaves briefly with hot water before brewing.
- **Tasting Notes**: Aged Pu-erh often has earthy, woody, or sweet flavors, with a smooth and rich texture.

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By following these guidelines, you can successfully age Pu-erh tea and enjoy its evolving flavors over time. Let me know if you'd like more tips on brewing or selecting Pu-erh!

Happy Chinese New Year

 

Today is the eve of Chinese New Year.  Many Chinese families will have a reunion dinner tonight.  Like thanksgiving, family members get together and enjoy a meal together. 

For the year ahead, I hope to travel to China and share my tea adventures with my readers. 

To all my friends and readers, Happy Chinese New Year. Wishing you peace and happiness. Live long and prosper. 

Time Flies - Another Year Of Pu erh Storage

 

Time flies.  Before you know its 2025.   For me, it had been a mind boggling light speed adventure last year. I was in Norway and Denmark last September and was happy to see many smiling tourists doing their touristy duties in the cities.......but at the same time, a military war was being waged in their neighbouring countries. We are living in a strange new world.  

Back to tea. To my readers, how is your aging and storing of your pu erh collection......how is your tea coming along?  I would like to suggest a way to check on your tea storage. 

You select a pu erh cake, break up into 6-7 pieces (about 30-50g), put the cake back in storage and take out a piece to drink every 2 years. Do remember to xin cha ( break up the tea and store in a tea caddy for 2-3 weeks) that piece before you try the tea. There would be no significant change in terms of taste and aroma of the tea in the first 5 years of storage.  But sampling the tea would give you an inkling (too dry or wet) about the storage conditions of your tea.  Yes, I believe that your pu erh tea will age with time.  Without being too technical. your tea will age slowly if you are living in a temperate country than in a tropical region. 

One of the difficult challenges of pu erh storage is time.  Storing a tea for more than 10 years or more is challenging. It is a very long wait.   I know many tea collectors giving up after a few years especially when they relocate or have a family.  You must also have the space to store your tea.  For a serious pu erh collector, you might own a few cartons worth of tea. This tea take up valuable real estate space in your home.......and once you start a family......priorities may change. 

My advice if you want to store a pu erh tea. Max 2 cartons. Leave the boxes alone.  Revisit the tea after 10-20 years. If the tea age well, you got nice tea to drink. I was lucky.  Tea was much cheaper 20 years ago and I had ample space to store my tea.   

I am thirsty. Time for tea.