• From: Sweden
  • Registered: 2009-06-03
  • Posts: 4

Topic: Storing alternatives - Low humidity

Hey guys.
I'm getting more serious about aging/storing both puerh and oolongs.
It seems most people is talking about how to get lower humidity, I on the other hand want higher.

The long winter here gives me very low humidity inside, I haven't measured it yet but I've read most have about 15-20% tops.

Wich options would be ideal for me to store my tea in, I've read low humidity is not a bad thing but it would be nice to actually age my newer cakes.

So, humidor, earthenware jars or just keep 'em on the shelves as they are now?

  • Registered: 2010-11-26
  • Posts: 8

Re: Storing alternatives - Low humidity

Hello there,


in the last time, I thought a lot about aging tea, especially some dark oolong called: "Fancy oolong old style". I have up to 200 grams of this tea, which I like very much. But I was wondering, how to store this tea for a longer time of aging. Just the normal metal-cans, special earthware or boxes of ceramic??

What tea has enough potential to survive a longer time, by changing its character and flavour??


And the last question: we forget this box of tea for ten years...and then all will be fine??  Do we have to cultivate this
stored tea time by time??


It would be nice, anybody woul share his experience with me...


nice forum...

best wishes,......till next time

  • From: Los Angeles, CA
  • Registered: 2008-10-29
  • Posts: 284

Re: Storing alternatives - Low humidity

tropheus wrote:

in the last time, I thought a lot about aging tea, especially some dark oolong called: "Fancy oolong old style". I have up to 200 grams of this tea, which I like very much. But I was wondering, how to store this tea for a longer time of aging. Just the normal metal-cans, special earthware or boxes of ceramic??

Probably best to start a thread in the oolong section if you have a question about storing oolongs.

First, though, have a look at this thread:
http://teadrunk.org/viewtopic.php?id=76

As well as this thread over on Teachat:
http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?t=6386

In the second one, I provide links to some other information about the same subject. But just keep in mind, that different types of oolongs will age differently, and different people have different taste preferences. I think your best bet is a combination of guesswork, luck, and hedging your bets.

A lot of my oolong is just in heavy foil bags. Other stuff is in ceramic or pewter jars, and a few other things are in unglazed clay jars.

  • Registered: 2010-11-26
  • Posts: 8

Re: Storing alternatives - Low humidity

Hello william,

I posted this questions in the oolong section. Thanks for your answers so far...I try to get an overview about this subject.

Best wishes,


tropheus

5 Reply by pu-erh.sk (edited by pu-erh.sk 2011-01-28 07:48:12)

  • From: Ohrady, Slovakia, Europe
  • Registered: 2010-06-13
  • Posts: 2

Re: Storing alternatives - Low humidity

Hi there in Sweden,
I live a bit lower in Europe, in Slovakia but I must have a very similar climate here than you in Sweden. Maybe a bit warmer. I keep my teas a separate room, mostly on shelfs and packed in tongs. Some of them are packed all together in a big carton box. I do store for about 3-4 years now and I must say the puerh tea ages well even in Europe. This is a different kind of storage as the people are used in Asia. Dry storage keeps the aroma and I believe its more suitable for longer periods, like 30-50 years. One although never know what will happen in such a long period of life. I also believe that more gushu your puerhs are the better age. I dont use any humidator and neither want experiment with it, its too dangerous if you know that the tea you have is very valuable and cost you many of your savings. I have the tea age and sit in the present climate, keep the room ventilated every day, have it clean and not letting any dangerous smells in. Briefly this is what I do.
Peter

here is an interesting article by my good friend Kathy from Yunnan
http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandal … with-care/

  • From: Los Angeles, CA
  • Registered: 2008-10-29
  • Posts: 284

Re: Storing alternatives - Low humidity

Two things, storage related. First, want to link to an interesting post (and accompanying discussion) about storage here:

http://www.marshaln.com/2011/01/traditional-not-wet/

Secondly, since I finally got pictures of my humid storage up, thought I'd post some photos here:
[click for larger image]
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5042/5306976207_6c90c19c86.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5242/5307570080_1d3b38d8d1.jpg

Still too soon to see what kind of effect it will have on the tea. I've had teas in here since about the summer of '09. It's not ideal, but given how dry it is here in Southern California, seems like the best approach for now. I'm mostly keeping the humidity moderate - 60s in the winter and 70s in the summer.