Rest Puerh after shipping?

I usually give it about 2-3 weeks, but there is no formula, you just have to try the tea and test it out.

Some teas I dive right in only because I just can’t help myself and can’t wait any longer because I’ve been dying to try a certain tea, even knowing I should let it rest.

If its vacuum sealed, like a lot of tie guan yin are, you don’t need to let it rest. If its not vacuum sealed, best to let it rest.

It won’t hurt to try the tea right away and take notes how it tastes right after shipping, then again 2-3 weeks later. You’ll see that its flat, underwhelming, unimpressive just after shipping, but then its fun to see it wake up a few weeks later and its a completely different tea.

Just don’t form a solid judgement about it until its had a few weeks to rest.

I’ve definitely noticed that letting puerh air out can make a difference. I don’t really have the willpower to allow newly arrived pu to acclimate though haha.

It may not be the best method, but I usually dive into a package as soon as I get it. I do, however, generally go for the cheaper teas first and thus giver the pricier/higher-end stuff a little time.

It will always be better if you let it acclimate to your environment. Just don’t let it get too dry or too wet. About 70% rh will wake it up nicely in a few weeks. I usually recommend a two week wait. Sometimes I am guilty and dive in as well.

You can dive right in, but the pu will change alot in the first few weeks. I certainly would not judge a pu until it’s had time to acclimate. If the shipping was by Surface which is on the ocean and takes 2 months or so, then it will definitely need longer to acclimate to it’s new environs.

Thanks all for the feedback. :)

As a follow up to this, if a sample is in a sealed foil bag, should I open the bag while resting the puerh?