Many friends don’t pay much attention after buying a kind of tea. As a result, when they drink it a few months later, they find it not as delicious as when they bought it. Finally, they realize that it’s because the tea wasn’t stored properly and absorbed other odors. Tea has strong moisture absorption and adsorption properties. It easily absorbs moisture and strange odors in the air. If the storage method is slightly improper, the tea will lose its flavor in a short period.
Why does tea deteriorate? Usually, after being stored, the aroma and taste of tea will change. If it is also exposed to high temperature, high humidity, and sunlight, the changes in the internal components of the tea will be accelerated, and the tea will age and deteriorate in a short time. Especially the newly picked green tea every year should be properly preserved.
The preservation of flower tea does not require low temperatures; instead, it is important to prevent moisture and store it in a cool, dry, and odor-free environment.
Oolong tea, a semi-fermented tea that falls between black and green tea, is relatively easy to store. Depending on its degree of drying and baking, heavy-roasted teas such as rock tea and strong-flavored Tieguanyin, as well as some single bush teas, can be stored at room temperature without the need for low-temperature preservation. Similarly, lightly-roasted teas like light-flavored Tieguanyin and dehumidified single bush teas should be stored in a refrigerator at low temperatures to maintain their freshness and flavor. Black tea, with its low moisture content in dry leaves, is susceptible to moisture absorption and fragrance dissipation. It is best to avoid mixing different types of tea for storage and to place it in a sealed, dry container away from light and high temperatures. If possible, using purple sand pots or tin pots is preferable, as glass pots cannot guarantee complete protection from sunlight. Before storing black tea, packaging it in a plastic bag and removing the air from the bag can better preserve the tea’s aroma. White tea, the most primitive and simplest tea-making process, involves sun-drying the freshly picked leaves until they are 90% dry and then low-temperature baking until fully dried. White tea is durable and environmentally friendly in storage, requiring no low-temperature preservation. It only needs to be kept at room temperature, away from odors, generally between 10-35 degrees Celsius. During storage, there is a certain margin for transformation and improvement; the longer the tea is stored, the deeper the color of the dry leaves and tea soup, and the more mellow and smooth the taste becomes. Black tea requires storage conditions that are ventilated, dry, and odor-free. Ventilation and dryness are the most important factors when storing black tea. It is best to use packaging materials with good permeability, such as kraft paper or leather paper (avoid sealing with plastic bags), to seal and store it. If the tea becomes moldy and grows white fuzz due to excessive humidity or prolonged storage, promptly remove it for ventilation and drying, dehumidify (by turning on air conditioning), or air it out in the sun. The mold and fuzz will naturally disappear after a few days. If the white fuzz is severe, gently remove the surface fuzz with a soft textile like a brush or towel, and then use a hairdryer or similar heating device for about ten minutes. It is recommended to check and turnover stored tea every three months to inspect for mold or other pests. Pu-erh tea, a type of black tea, only needs to be stored away from direct sunlight and rain, in a clean and hygienic environment with good ventilation and no other odors or smells. If there is a large quantity, a dedicated warehouse can be used for storage; if the quantity is small, for personal storage at home, a ceramic or earthenware jar can be used. Remove the outer packaging of loose Pu-erh tea and place it directly into the jar, sealing the mouth of the jar. Cake tea, golden melon tea, and tuo cha should be stored on wooden racks to ensure ventilation and air circulation. Note: The most important thing to prevent in tea storage is odors and mold. Tea leaves are particularly absorbent, and once Pu-erh tea absorbs odors during its aging process, its original aged fragrance is compromised.Having high-quality tea is not enough; proper storage is also essential to ensure the tea’s color, aroma, and taste are at their best when consumed.
Different types of tea, such as dark tea and Pu-erh tea, require specific storage conditions to maximize their collectible value. Therefore, to enjoy the best tea, it is crucial to store it well.
