NO.1 Basic Requirements for Tea Storage
1. Prevent Tea from Aging
If directly opened, moisture may condense on the inner walls of the tea tin and be absorbed by the tea; d. If there is a large amount of tea, it is recommended to use separate packaging and store it in the refrigerator, dividing it into half a month or a month’s tea consumption, which can reduce the number of times the tea comes into contact with the outside world. If conditions permit, it is best to have a separate refrigerator for storing green tea.
II. Unopened and needing to be stored for one year or more: Freezing method: Seal the green tea and place it in the freezer, maintaining the temperature at -18 or below. Freezing can effectively prevent the oxidation and spoilage of tea. When using the freezing method, it is important to thaw the tea in the refrigerator slowly to avoid moisture damage. – Pu’er Tea – Shelf life: Can be stored for a long time Keywords: moisture-proof, well-ventilated, odorless storage method: one space (temperature and humidity), one type of tea, try to live in groups; I. Whole piece/whole bundle (independent packaging): If stored for a long time, the bamboo shell outside the tea cake should not be removed, as it has a certain moisture-proof effect, then directly store it in a cardboard box; if the air humidity of the storage environment is particularly high, it is best to choose a moisture-proof cardboard box. II. Single cake/weighing in pounds (daily tea storage): If the cake tea, brick tea, etc. , are not in a box or bundle, it is recommended to use sealed aluminum foil bags or put them into pottery, bamboo baskets, or cardboard boxes with good air permeability, and open and take out after prying the tea. Precautions: Raw Pu’er and ripe Pu’er should be stored separately to avoid mutual flavor interference; it is also best to store new tea and old tea separately to prevent the transformation speed of new tea from affecting the quality of old tea. – Black Tea – Shelf life: Usually 2-3 years Keywords: sealed, ambient temperature, moisture-proof, odorless tip: Black tea tastes best after 1 year; drink within 1-2 years after opening, unopened black tea can be stored at room temperature; although the aroma of new tea is good, it has a strong fire, and it can be stored for 1-2 months after purchase before drinking. I. Storage container: Tea in single bag independent small packaging can be normally stored in a dry, cool, and light-avoiding place; loose tea is best placed in a sealed tea pot or other containers, and tea bags that are not single bag packaging are also the same. Porcelain pots, purple sand pots, or tin pots are preferred for the material of tea pots. It should be noted that: if storing loose black tea in a stainless steel can, it is best to first put the tea into a plastic bag, expel the air inside the bag, and then put it into the can. In addition, newly used tea pots should be wiped with a clean cloth first, and then placed in a ventilated place to remove odors. II. Storage location: Tea pots for storing black tea should be placed in dark, dry, and ventilated places. Since black tea is very susceptible to odors, it is best not to mix different types of tea together, and do not place strong-smelling items such as perfumes, fruits, and soaps near the tea pots.– Oolong Tea
Shelf life: Generally, the shelf life is 2 – 5 years. Rock teas with charcoal roasting and cyclic charcoal roasting can also be stored for a long time.
Keywords: Keep away from light, sealed, dry, odorless
Storage methods: Jar storage method, bag storage method, refrigeration method
1. Heavily roasted oolong tea: Such as traditional high – fired Wuyi rock tea and strongly fragrant Tieguanyin belong to heavily roasted oolong tea.
Due to long – time roasting and a relatively high degree of fermentation, the tea soup is orange – yellow. The first two infusions have a roasting aroma, and the aroma of the subsequent infusions is strong, long – lasting, and distant. The taste is mellow and full. You can choose earthenware pots, porcelain pots or purple clay pots for normal – temperature storage. Open them occasionally to let the tea breathe, allowing the internal substances to oxidize automatically, reducing the roasting flavor and making the taste softer and more mellow.2. Moderately roasted oolong tea: Such as low – fired Dahongpao and lightly fragrant Tieguanyin. Generally, they have a fresh and elegant aroma, a fresh taste, vivid tea leaves at the bottom of the cup, and the tea soup is light yellow and bright. However, they are not resistant to storage and are prone to aging. You can use packaging bags, tinplate cans or tea cans made of tin material. Fill them up and tighten the lids, seal them with adhesive tape, then put them in plastic bags and tie them up, and store them in the refrigerator at a low temperature. If the storage period is within 6 months, the refrigeration temperature can be maintained at 0 – 5°C. If the storage period is more than half a year, it is recommended to store them at – 10°C for better results.
– Dark Tea
Shelf life: Can be stored for a long time
Keywords: Ventilated, dry, odorless, avoid getting damp
Storage method: Seal it with packaging materials with good air permeability such as kraft paper and parchment paper (do not use plastic bags for sealing).
Specific practices: Loose dark tea can be packed in kraft paper bags, bamboo baskets or earthenware pots; Tianjian tea in small bamboo baskets, brick tea and cake tea can be packed in odorless cardboard boxes and sealed.
Control temperature: Below 25°C, relative humidity: Below 70%
Precautions:
1. Keep in the shade and avoid sun exposure.
2. Ventilate and avoid airtight conditions. Ventilation helps the natural oxidation of the tea. At the same time, it can appropriately absorb the moisture in the air (but the moisture content cannot be too high, otherwise it is prone to mildew), accelerating the wet – heat oxidation process of the tea body and providing moisture and oxygen for microbial metabolism. Do not use plastic bags for sealing. You can use packaging materials with good air permeability such as kraft paper and parchment paper for packaging and storage.
3. Keep in an open area and avoid odors. Tea has extremely strong odor absorption properties and cannot be stored together with substances with odors. It is advisable to place it in an open and well – ventilated environment.
White Tea – Shelf Life: Suitable for long-term storage. Keywords: Sealed, Light-proof, Dry, Odorless. Tip: ‘1 year tea, 3 years medicine, 7 years treasure’, new tea is best consumed after one year when its cooling properties turn warm.
I. Secrets to Storing White Tea: ① Avoid using purple sand pots for tea storage; opt for sealed containers. Sealing keeps white tea in a dry, odorless environment, preventing oxidation by limiting contact with air. ② Strictly manage the humidity in the air. White tea moisture content should be controlled between 5% and 6%, not exceeding 8%. ③ Store tea boxes away from walls and floors. ④ Do not expose tea cakes directly to air. II. Methods for Storing White Tea: 1. Short-term, small quantity storage: Place white tea in kraft paper bags or aluminum bags, squeeze out excess air, and seal. Store in a cool, dry, and odorless place. During the rainy season, it’s best to seal the bags and then place them in kraft paper bags, ensuring double protection. 2. Long-term, large quantity storage: Use three-layer packaging – an inner aluminum foil bag, a middle moisture-proof bag, and an outer cardboard box. Seal the tea in an aluminum bag, then place it in a plastic bag for an additional seal, and finally, put the white tea in a cardboard box. Tape the box shut and store it in a cool, dry, and constant temperature place (temperature controlled below 25 degrees Celsius). These are the tea storage tips shared! Store some tea, drink it slowly, and let it become a treasure; time will certainly amaze your taste buds.
