Yunnan Black Tea
Raw or 'sheng' Puer tea is peculiar in two respects: it falls into the category of post-fermented teas. i.e. teas that change through processes of possibly microbial fermentation and oxidation after the basic manufacturing has taken place. Furthermore, this secondary process encompasses considerable variation, dictated as it is by the original qualities of the tea, the form in which the tea is stored: i.e. loose leaves, pressed cakes etc. and the degree of pressure used in that pressing, the environment that the tea is subsequently stored in and the length of time for which it is stored.
Puer tea is constantly changing; from season to season and even from day to day. Because of this, when raw Puer tea is moved to a new environment it should be stored in the open or in a porous container where it can breathe and adapt to it's new environment for some time before tasting. It may seem to be a small, even unimportant detail, but it will nonetheless help ensure an optimal tea drinking experience.
