about black Pu-erh
 

If you are interested in finding out more about black Pu-erh, you are
invited to check out our blogs at:
http://teatalk101.blogspot.com/2005_...1_archive.html

Linda
http://www.teahub.com

In your first posting on Pu-erh you say,"Ways like cave storage are types of wet storage". I always thaought that cave storage was the proper and traditional way to store Pu-erh. Some vendors here in the USA are using this method. Is cave storage always wet storage?

teamania

Cave storage does NOT necessarily equal wet storage, although it can.
Wet storage refers to the practice of alternating very high humidity
with very low humidity, or simply maintaining a constant high
humidity. A cave, depending on its humidity level, could be used for
this, but not necessarily . If a cave stays around 70F and 70%
relative humidity it would NOT be considered wet storage.

As for caves being the "proper & traditional" method of storage, I
have never found anything to substantiate that. Very few people in
China actually use caves to store puerh. A natural cave tends to have
very consistent ambient conditions so it could work very well, but it
is not a standard by any means. David Hoffman from Silk Road Teas is
the only US vendor I am aware of that employs caves. IMHO it is not
necessary but it sure does sound exotic, makes for good marketing!

The original poster is from Kunming China and is very aware of various
methods that are used in China to accelerate aging. She was perhaps
being too general about caves though. Taking her whole article into
context I believe she was simply targeting the sharp shooters in
China. A "damp" cave is one method and is indeed considered wet
storage. However, while I don't know his exact variables, I can
assure you that David Hoffman's cave would not be considered wet
storage. He knows better!

Mike Petro
http://www.pu-erh.net




On Sun, 30 Jan 2005 23:04:12 +0000, teamania
> cast caution to the wind and
posted:

>
>In your first posting on Pu-erh you say,"Ways like cave storage are
>types of wet storage". I always thaought that cave storage was the
>proper and traditional way to store Pu-erh. Some vendors here in the
>USA are using this method. Is cave storage always wet storage?
>
>teamania
>
>TeaHub Wrote:
>> If you are interested in finding out more about black Pu-erh, you are
>> invited to check out our blogs at:
>> http://teatalk101.blogspot.com/2005_...1_archive.html
>>
>> Linda
>> http://www.teahub.com

Cave storage is considered a bad practice in China. Nobody in China will
buy from you if your pu-erh is cave stored. By storing Pu-erh in caves,
the moisture will get into Pu-erh, and the lack of air flow will trap the
moisture inside Pu-erh and therefore create the effect of wet storage.
People value dry and old storage
(干仓，老仓）, not cave.

Linda
http://www.teahub.com

Hi Linda,

This information on storage in caves is very interesting. What is the best way high quality Pu-erhs are stored in China? Can you share some tips on the best ways to store Pu-erh?

Thanks,

Teamania

You can find info on storing Pu-erh on our site at
http://www.teahub.com/revealpuerh.htm#storage . Store your aged and young
Pu-erh together can really do the trick.

If you are interested, you may want to read our blog on judging Pu-erh
Bing Cha at
http://teahub.blogspot.com/2004/11/j...-erh-bing.html
The fact is that some tasty young Pu-erh such as those made of 100% tea
buds are not good candidates for long term aging.

Linda
www.teahub.com