Puerh Cha Article - Wet Storage (2)	Page 1 | 2

Wet storage is often a misunderstood process amongst new Puerh enthusiasts. The stigma resulting from deceitful artificial ageing practiced by dishonest merchants has misled some into believing that this stems from the process of "wet storage". The improper manipulation of Puerh tea using water based techniques by way of high humidity storage, surface sprays, etc. in an attempt to alter the appearance of a teacake for greater gains is not wet storage. This unethical treatment of Puerh tea is both damaging and detrimental to the product and the consumer.

Wet storage warehouses can possess humidity of 70% and higher and is used to induce various degrees of fermentation ranging from light to heavy. Lightly wet stored Puerh teas have a cleaner appearance and retains more complexity and liveliness in its overall character while taking a longer time to mature and vice versa.

Proper wet storage is a carefully controlled and monitored process supervised by experts. It's use has been widespread in the 1900s, so much so that the majority of Puerh teas produced within the century have undergone some degree of wet storage. While it is common for newly wet stored teas to have musty and damp characters attached to them this can be eliminated through dry storage in a well ventilated environment. This subsequent period of dry storage also allows the character of the tea to become more refined. Many of the most sought after masterpieces and vintages of today have aged and developed in this way.

Classic vintages such as the 1950s Red Label, 1970s Yellow Label and countless others have undergone varying degrees of wet storage.