Raw puer tea undergoes a fascinating transformation over time, starting as a bold, almost wild tea and mellowing with age. Aged raw puer is highly prized and valuable, with its value depending on factors like the quality of the original tea leaves and the conditions of storage.

When young, raw puer has a green color, but after around 14 years of aging (depending on storage conditions), it begins to take on a reddish hue. After 20 to 25 years, it darkens further, eventually resembling cooked puer tea. This long aging process is what makes aged puer tea so unique and sought after by tea collectors.