In the hot summer months, as rainfall increases, improper storage can lead to the waste of good tea! During the summer, with high temperatures and frequent rain, it’s crucial to store tea not only to prevent heat damage but also to avoid the humidity brought by rain. Neglecting details can easily lead to the spoilage of your fine tea. What are the taboos of storing tea in summer? Should all teas be placed in the refrigerator? This article will teach you how to store tea correctly during the summer.
The first major taboo of summer tea storage is high temperatures. Tea must be kept in a suitable low-temperature environment to maintain its fragrance. Excessive heat can cause chemical changes in the components of tea, leading to spoilage. Experiments have proven that as temperatures rise, the rate of tea spoilage also increases, which is detrimental to tea preservation. Sunlight can cause oxidation of chlorophyll in tea, turning it from green to brownish-yellow.
Green Tea
Storage Duration: About one year
Storage Conditions: Avoid moisture, high temperature, sunlight, oxygen, and strange odors. Vacuum storage is preferred. It can be stored in bags or cans (dry and sealed), or refrigerated (sealed in bags and placed in the refrigerator or cold storage). If you need to drink it soon and the storage time is short, you can put green tea in the refrigerator and adjust the temperature to about 5 degrees Celsius.
Oolong Tea
Storage Duration: About two years
Storage Conditions: Dry, sealed, away from light, and without strange odors. Storage methods include can storage, bag storage, and refrigeration storage. The chlorophyll contained in oolong tea will undergo a photocatalytic reaction when exposed to light. Therefore, light avoidance is one of the most important conditions for storing oolong tea. In addition to light avoidance, moisture prevention is also essential. Oolong tea belongs to semi-fermented tea, and it is easier to store than unfermented green tea. If you have a tin can, you can use it to store oolong tea. If not, you can also use iron cans, porcelain cans, or tinplate tea cans with double lids. When filling the can, note that the tea must be filled to reduce oxidation, and finally cover and seal. Generally, tea with baking fire should not be drunk immediately. First, it is easy to cause excessive internal heat. Second, the fire will cover the tea aroma. The baking degree of oolong tea can be divided into low fire, medium fire, and full fire, and the drinking and storage times are also different: Low fire: It is best to drink after 1 – 2 months. The shelf life of oolong tea without baking or with light baking fire (such as light-flavor Tieguanyin) is relatively short. To maintain its fresh taste, it can be stored in the refrigerator, but it is also best not to drink it after more than 1 year. Medium fire: It is best to drink after 3 – 5 months. It can be stored at room temperature. Full fire: It is best to drink after 6 months – 1 year. It can be stored at room temperature. Light-flavor oolong tea is best stored in a fresh-keeping cabinet, while strong-flavor oolong tea can be stored at room temperature. If the opened tea needs to be stored, seal it and then store it. For Wuyi Rock Tea, family storage generally adopts can storage and bag storage. It can also be sealed and stored in the refrigerator at a low temperature. An old hot water kettle has a very good storage effect.
Black Tea
Storage Duration: About two to three years
Storage Conditions: Dry, sealed, away from light, and without strange odors. Storage methods include can storage and aluminum foil bag sealing to prevent moisture, avoid light, and maintain a constant temperature.
Black tea should be stored away from light and high temperatures. It is best to use aluminum foil paper or cans for packaging for storage. Before placing the black tea, wrap it in a plastic bag and expel the air to better preserve the tea’s aroma. During storage, avoid mixing different types of tea and keep away from light, high temperatures, and odorous items. Although new tea has a pleasant aroma, it has a strong fire flavor. It is advisable to store it for 1-2 months before drinking. After a year, the taste and aroma of black tea are at their best. It can also be stored for more than two years. Aged black tea has a lighter aroma, a more mellow taste, and increased resistance to brewing, with noticeable effects on regulating the stomach and intestines. Yellow tea storage duration: about one year. Storage conditions: dry, sealed, cool, air-extracted, and odor-free. Use canning or refrigeration storage, avoid light, and prevent odors. When storing yellow tea, place a preservative in the tea bag and seal it. Use an aluminum foil bag to package it and then place it into a container, followed by sealing it with a clean plastic bag, and store it directly in the refrigerator (temperature controlled around 5 degrees Celsius), avoiding tea odor absorption. Dark tea storage duration: the older, the better. Storage conditions: avoid sealing and refrigeration, prevent dampness, and avoid sunlight. Store in cans, place in a ventilated, dry, cool, and odor-free area to prevent mold. Dark tea storage requires ventilation, dryness, and odor-free conditions. The most important thing to note when collecting and storing dark tea is to maintain ventilation and dryness. It is best to use packaging materials with good permeability, such as kraft paper or leather paper (avoid using plastic bags for sealing), to seal and store them. White tea storage duration: the longer, the higher the value, “one year as a tea, three years as a medicine, seven years as a treasure.” Storage conditions: ambient temperature, dry, sealed, light-proof, odor-free, cool, ventilated, and keep a distance from walls and the ground. The temperature for storing white tea can be at ambient temperature, avoiding direct sunlight, as light can cause photochemical reactions in the tea, affecting its quality. White tea should be stored in cans with good sealing properties. White tea has strong adsorption and hygroscopic properties, so the environment must be moisture-proof and odor-proof. Storing white tea in a thermos is also a method, as long as it has not been used to hold hot water, pour the white tea leaves into the thermos, seal it, and store it properly for significant storage effects. Flower tea storage duration: about one to two years. Storage conditions: ambient temperature, dry, sealed packaging, light-proof, moisture-proof, and odor-free. There are two ways to store flower tea: one is to store at ambient temperature, pack the flower tea in leather paper bags, seal them, and place them in a cool, dry, ambient temperature, light-proof place; the second is refrigeration, pack the flower tea in aluminum foil bags, seal them, put them into iron cans, cover the lids, and finally store them in the refrigerator.
Having fine tea at home requires the right storage methods! The aroma and taste of tea can change after storage, and if exposed to high temperature, high humidity, and sunlight, the tea can deteriorate rapidly. Therefore, to enjoy a good cup of tea, one must learn how to store it properly. It would be a pity if improper storage affects the taste.
01 Light: Light exposure can accelerate various chemical reactions and has an adverse effect on tea storage, so tea should be stored away from light. 02 Temperature: The higher the temperature, the faster the tea ages. Experimental results show that for every 10-degree increase in temperature, the rate of tea aging speeds up by 3-5 times. If tea is stored in a cold storage below 10 degrees Celsius, it can effectively slow down the browning process. 03 Moisture: Moisture is a necessary condition for many chemical reactions during the aging process of tea. Research suggests that when the moisture content in tea is around 3%, it can effectively slow down the oxidation and spoilage of lipids. However, when the moisture content in tea exceeds 6%, the aging process accelerates dramatically. 04 Oxygen: Oxygen can combine with many chemical components in tea, causing them to oxidize and spoil. For example, catechins, vitamin C, tea polyphenols, theaflavins, thearubigins, and ester substances in tea can all oxidize and spoil, so it is best to store tea in a way that isolates it from oxygen. Therefore, the key to tea storage is to prevent pressure, moisture, seal tightly, avoid light, and prevent odors. Storage methods for the six major types of tea and other teas: Note that different flower teas should be stored separately to avoid mixing, as they can absorb each other’s fragrances and easily absorb odors, confusing the original aroma. Tea has hygroscopic and strong adsorptive properties, making it easy to absorb moisture and odors from the air. If the storage method is slightly improper, it can lose its flavor in a short period. Below are several home tea storage rules. 01 Can Storage Method: Can storage is one of the more common methods for home tea storage, mainly using iron cans, bamboo boxes, or wooden boxes. These cans or boxes, if double-layered, have better moisture resistance. Iron cans or boxes containing tea should be placed in a cool place, away from dampness and direct sunlight. If the canned tea is not to be consumed for the time being, the mouth can be sealed with transparent tape to prevent humid air from seeping in. Applicable tea types: Black tea is prone to moisture and fragrance loss, so it is better to use aluminum foil or aluminum cans for storage. Oolong tea, being semi-fermented, is relatively easy to store. Using tin cans for storage is ideal; if not available, iron or porcelain cans are also good choices. Specific method: First, place a thin plastic bag inside the can (to keep the can clean). Each can may contain 1-2 small packets of silica gel (to keep the can dry), seal tightly after packing, and store in a cool, light-avoiding place.02 Clay Pot Storage Method
The containers used for clay pot storage must be dry, odorless, and structurally tight. Common containers include pottery pots and rust-free iron barrels. It is important to note that tea is generally not suitable for mixed storage, as different tea fragrances are distinct. If stored together, they may lose their original characteristics due to mutual contamination.
Suitable for Yellow Tea: Storing yellow tea in a pottery pot is beneficial for maintaining dryness. Specific method: Wrap the tea with kraft paper or other thick paper. Place the tea in the pottery pot, with lime bags in the middle, the size of which depends on the situation. Pad the mouth of the pot with cotton or thick paper to reduce air circulation. Generally, after more than a month, check and replace the lime if its color has darkened.
03 Bottle Storage Method The lining of a thermos bottle has excellent light protection, insulation, and air isolation properties. It is important to choose a thermos with good insulation performance. Suitable for Oolong Tea: Storing oolong tea in a thermos is also a good choice, pay attention to tighten the lid and seal the bottle mouth with white wax. Specific method: Pack the dry tea into the bottle, usually fill it sufficiently, try not to leave space inside the bottle; tighten the bottle mouth with a stopper, and if sealed with wax and wrapped with adhesive tape, the effect will be better. This mainly prevents air from entering the bottle. 04 Bag Storage Method Bag storage is the most commonly used, simplest, and most economical method for home tea storage. It is important to note that the plastic bag must be a food packaging bag, preferably a high-density, high-strength plastic bag. Pu-erh tea and white tea are not suitable for sealed plastic bags. Suitable for Black Tea and Green Tea: Black tea and green tea can be packaged in plastic bags. Specific method: Wrap the tea with soft paper or kraft paper, then put it into the plastic bag and tie the mouth with a rope. 05 Cold Storage Method Since tea is prone to accelerate oxidation or deterioration at higher temperatures, it is suitable to store tea in a cool place, which can slow down the speed of its automatic oxidation. Suitable for Green Tea: Green tea is most suitable for storage in the refrigerator. Black tea, oolong tea, and pu-erh tea do not need to be stored in the refrigerator. This is because the content of polyphenols in black tea and oolong tea is relatively low, the speed of deterioration is slow, and they are easy to store. Pu-erh tea contains beneficial bacteria, and enzymes need to function in a ventilated, cool, and dry environment. White tea is durable, and its storage is more environmentally friendly, without the need for low-temperature preservation, only need to keep it at room temperature and prevent odors. Specific method: If the storage time is short and it needs to be consumed at any time, it can be placed in the refrigerator, with the temperature controlled around 5°C. If unopened and needs to be stored for more than a year, it should be placed in the freezer.If you have high-quality tea at home, it needs to be stored under the right conditions to maximize its collection value. Try the methods mentioned above! The weather is getting hotter, and summer has quietly arrived. Summer is a rainy season, accompanied by humid weather. In such weather, with high air humidity, tea is very prone to getting damp and moldy. At this time, many tea lovers will store tea in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.
In fact, this is a misunderstanding. Whether to store tea in the refrigerator should be treated differently. 1. Teas suitable for refrigerator storage Green tea, light-flavor oolong tea, and dehumidified tea. Among the six major tea categories, green tea is the most perishable and requires extra attention when storing. You can put the tea in a tea canister, seal it, and then put it in a sealed bag and place it in the refrigerator. In addition, light-flavor Tieguanyin and the popular dehumidified tea among oolong teas can also be stored in the refrigerator. 2. Teas not suitable for refrigerator storage Pu-erh tea and white tea. Naturally, due to the reason of later transformation, especially Pu-erh tea, it emphasizes the drinking value reflected in the later aging process. Storing these two types of tea in the refrigerator, in a low-temperature environment, the activity of bioenzymes in the tea will also decrease, thus affecting the efficiency of tea transformation. And the biggest feature of jasmine tea is its aroma. Putting it in the refrigerator will make its aroma fade. So teas with fresh flower aroma like jasmine tea are actually not very suitable to be stored in the refrigerator. 3. Teas that can be stored in the refrigerator depending on the situation Black tea. Since it is a fully fermented tea, in most cases, it is allowed to be stored at room temperature, which has little impact on the quality of the tea. However, some high-quality black teas with delicate raw materials (such as Jin Junmei), usually have a high content of theaflavins. In a sealed state, they can be stored in a low-temperature environment in the refrigerator for a period of time, which is conducive to slowing down the browning speed of black tea. Studies have shown that temperature has a great impact on the storage quality of broken black tea. When the tea is stored at a lower temperature (0 – 5°C) for one year, the changes in quality components are small, and the moisture only increases by 2.11%. However, for the tea stored at room temperature, after one year of storage, the reduction amplitude of theaflavins is 18 times higher than that of the low-temperature treatment, and the increase amplitude of thearubigins is 2. 76 times higher. This makes the broken black tea stored at low temperature still maintain its freshness, richness and mellow taste, while the tea stored at room temperature has a brownish soup color and a weaker aroma. Different tea varieties have many differences in their storage conditions. Next, the editor will sort out the most comprehensive and family-friendly tea storage methods according to different tea varieties. Green tea Green tea is very easy to be oxidized, resulting in a decrease in freshness. Therefore, low-temperature storage is the best.Put the tea leaves into a clean and dry iron can. Try to fill it up without leaving any space. Seal the lid tightly, put on several layers of fresh-keeping bags, and then place it in the refrigerator’s fresh-keeping compartment. Note that other foods with strong odors should not be stored in the refrigerator. For green tea, refrigeration can effectively maintain its quality. There is no need to freeze it to prevent changes when the tea is taken out and exposed to heat.
The storage method of yellow tea is similar to that of green tea. If the amount of tea is not large, it can also be wrapped in rice paper, which can play a certain role in moisture prevention. Then put it into a jar, seal it, and place it in the refrigerator. There are not many particularities in the storage of black tea. Just pay attention to sealing and moisture prevention. At home, you can use a thermos cup or thermos pot. After washing and drying, put the black tea in it and place it in a dry and dark place. For Dianhong (a type of black tea) and secret Dianhong oolong tea, oolong tea is relatively resistant to storage. However, the chlorophyll contained in oolong tea will undergo a catalytic reaction when exposed to light. Therefore, light avoidance is one of the most important conditions for storing oolong tea. If possible, use a tin can, which has excellent airtightness. Spherical oolong tea can be put into an aluminum foil bag, vacuum-packed, and then placed in the refrigerator. For strip-shaped oolong tea, some air can be pumped out before sealing. The production process of white tea itself determines its durability for storage. Since it is not stir-fried or rolled and belongs to lightly fermented tea, it can change slowly during subsequent storage. It should be noted to keep a low moisture content, avoid light, and avoid high temperatures. Put quicklime in a cloth bag, wrap the white tea in rice paper, put them together into an earthenware pot, and seal the pot mouth. Check and replace the lime after a period of time. Loose tea can also be sealed and stored in an aluminum foil bag. Dark tea is also a type of tea that can be stored for a long time. Some people like to wrap dark tea with bamboo husks, but note that bamboo husks are prone to be infested by insects. You can use odorless kraft paper, rice paper, etc. to wrap the tea, put it into an earthenware pot, and seal it. Note that the pot should be placed in a high place, not too close to the ground or ceiling to prevent insects and moisture. Finally, it should be noted that the container for storing tea should be dry, clean, and free of odors. The tea stored in the container should be placed in a dry and ventilated place. It cannot be placed in a humid, high-temperature, dirty, or sun-exposed place. There should be no items with strong odors such as camphor, medicine, cosmetics, cigarettes, and detergents. Moreover, pay more attention that different types and grades of tea should not be stored together.
