Currently, most green teas have hit the market, and many tea enthusiasts have already received this year’s new green teas, eager to taste them. As we all know, the most significant characteristic of green tea is its fresh and refreshing flavor. However, if green tea is not stored properly, it will quickly lose its color, aroma, and taste, and we will not be able to enjoy its freshness. Therefore, when storing green tea, the following five taboos must be observed.
1. Avoid high temperatures: High temperatures can accelerate the destruction of the aroma, taste, and nutritional components in green tea. If consumed within a short period, it can be placed in a refrigerator at 0-5 degrees Celsius. If stored for more than half a year, it is best to put it in the freezer at -10 to -18 degrees Celsius. Additionally, avoid drinking tea immediately after taking it out of the refrigerator; wait until the temperature of the tea container is close to room temperature before drinking to prevent condensation on the tea leaves, which can accelerate spoilage.
2. Avoid humidity: Whether it is green tea or other teas, it is important to prevent moisture and spoilage. The moisture content of green tea should be controlled below 6%, with around 4% being ideal, so do not store it in a humid environment.
3. Avoid light: Direct light exposure can cause chlorophyll in green tea to oxidize and change color, leading to the loss of aromatic substances. Therefore, do not store green tea in transparent glass containers or transparent plastic bags; it is important to store it away from light.
4. Avoid air: Various substances in green tea, such as polyphenols, are prone to oxidation reactions with oxygen in the air. Oxidized green tea has a low aroma and a red soup color, losing its fresh and refreshing characteristics. Therefore, after opening green tea, it must be sealed well and consumed as soon as possible.
5. Avoid odors: Tea easily absorbs odors, so it is best to store green tea in a dedicated refrigerator. If there is no dedicated tea refrigerator, it is important to seal it well to prevent it from absorbing odors from other foods.
After sharing the storage taboos, let’s introduce the brewing methods for green tea. Generally, there are three brewing methods for green tea: top infusion, middle infusion, and bottom infusion. Different green teas, due to their variety and processing, have different brewing methods.
Top infusion method: Pour water first, then add tea. Method: Fill the cup with about seven parts of water, then add tea. Advantages: It avoids the tea being scalded by high water temperature and allows you to enjoy the process of tea leaves sinking. Suitable for: Generally suitable for heavy-bodied, bud-rich teas, such as Dongting Biluochun, Xinyang Maojian, Duyun Maojian, Mengding Ganlu, etc.
Middle infusion method: Warm the cup – add tea – moisten tea – continue pouring water. Method: Pour in three parts of water at the appropriate temperature, then add tea, gently rotate to moisten the tea leaves, and slowly stretch them before pouring water to about seven parts full. Advantages: No need to worry about the tea becoming astringent due to high water temperature.
Suitable for: Delicate green teas with tight and compact shapes, flat-shaped or with a tenderness of one bud and one leaf, or one bud and two leaves, such as West Lake Longjing, Anji Bai Cha, Huangshan Maofeng, and Zhuye Qing.
Bottom Pouring Method: Tea infusion – Pouring water technique: First, place an appropriate amount of tea leaves, then gently pour warm water along the cup wall until it is 70% full, slowly shake to ensure the tea leaves are completely moistened, and wait for them to naturally unfurl.
Advantages: The tea flavor is more full-bodied.
Suitable for: Looser-shaped or less delicate green teas, such as Taiping Houkui, Lu’an Guapian, etc.
Have you tasted this year’s new green tea?
