Aged Tea
Definition
Tea intentionally stored for years or decades under controlled conditions to develop new flavors through slow microbial and chemical transformation. Most commonly associated with pu-erh (both sheng and shu) and some dark oolongs, aged teas develop earthy, woody, sweet, and medicinal qualities over time.
Why it matters
Aging transforms tea in ways no amount of processing can replicate - a 20-year-old sheng pu-erh tastes nothing like its youth. Understanding aging helps you evaluate whether a tea's price reflects genuine age and proper storage, or just marketing. It also explains why storage conditions matter as much as the tea itself.