Previously, Cup of Tea recommended an article titled “Why Should You Stock Up on Tea When You're Young?” Many tea enthusiasts had questions about how to store tea. So, Cup of Tea has done its homework and prepared this informative piece for you.
It's a common belief that even the finest tea becomes no different from ordinary tea if left for some time without being consumed. When buying tea at a shop, the more upscale the store, the more refrigerators you'll find inside—a trend in line with improved living standards and increased awareness of food preservation. This approach appears advanced but overlooks its negative consequences.
Firstly, people are hesitant to buy tea, always considering how much they can consume in a short period; after purchasing, they worry about storage.
Secondly, it encourages the sale of tea that hasn't been fully processed. Standard tea production aims to ensure the tea is stable in quality before it's considered complete.
Thirdly, it limits the potential for aging tea and reduces opportunities for consumers to enjoy aged teas. This segment of the market, which could account for one-third of sales, is thus diminished.
Experienced tea makers often discuss storing new tea, considering how to stabilize its quality so consumers won't find it excessively cooling and can enjoy it over time without it losing flavor. This applies to various types of tea, including traditional Japanese green tea, which is typically reserved for autumn consumption after being harvested in spring. This stabilization is known as “refinement” in tea production, particularly referring to the “ripening” phase of finished tea.
This concept is similar to wood: freshly cut timber, after initial drying, may meet the moisture requirements for furniture making in certain regions, but tables and chairs made from it are still prone to warping or cracking. Such wood retains some activity and absorbency, leading to high failure rates in furniture. Thus, the best practice is to let the wood rest for a while before use.
Similarly, if the quality of finished tea is stabilized, it can be stored under conditions suitable for dry goods, such as protection from moisture, light, and foreign odors. It can be consumed safely for up to a year. Such tea can also develop into a unique “aged tea” flavor over long-term storage.
After a period of storage, the aroma, color, taste, and appearance of tea change. The fresh tea flavor fades, and aged characteristics emerge. Factors affecting the degradation and aging of tea include temperature, moisture, oxygen, and light, and their interactions.
Temperature: Higher temperatures accelerate the browning of tea's appearance, while low-temperature refrigeration effectively slows down browning and aging.
Moisture: When the moisture content in tea exceeds 5%, it accelerates the deterioration of quality and the oxidation of residual enzymes, leading to changes in the tea's color.
Oxygen: Oxidation of substances causing tea degradation is related to the presence of oxygen.
Light: Light exposure negatively affects tea by accelerating chemical reactions within the leaves, causing chlorophyll to fade.
Thus, reducing storage temperature, maintaining appropriate moisture levels, blocking oxygen exposure, and preventing direct light exposure can slow down tea degradation.
Some say that strict control of temperature and humidity is required when storing tea. However, most households don't create a professional tea storage room for just a few pounds of tea, controlling temperature and humidity like a tea factory would.
So, how can families store different types of tea?
Green Tea
To maintain the freshness and aroma of green tea or lightly fragrant Tieguanyin, store them in the refrigerator at approximately 0°C to 5°C. By altering the environmental temperature, the oxidation rate of chemical components in the tea is reduced, slowing down the aging and degradation of tea quality.
Yellow Tea
When storing yellow tea, place a desiccant in the tea bag, seal it, and store it in a container, then directly in the refrigerator (ideally around 5°C). Be sure to avoid storing it with other foods to prevent the tea from absorbing odors.
Black Tea
Black tea contains low moisture but is susceptible to dampness and losing its fragrance. During storage, avoid mixing different types of tea. Store black tea in sealed containers like cans, tea bags, or thermoses. Before placing the tea in a thermos, pack it in a plastic bag, remove the air, and add a seal to better preserve the tea's aroma.
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea, a semi-fermented tea, is relatively easy to store. Use ceramic jars, metal cans, or tea bags for storage, but tin cans are the best choice. When packing the tea, make sure it fills the container to minimize oxidation, then seal it tightly.
Dark Tea
Dark tea requires a well-ventilated, dry, and odor-free environment for storage. Avoid using plastic bags for sealing! Better options include kraft paper or other breathable packaging materials. If storing a large quantity, consider placing activated charcoal nearby to absorb moisture and odors.
Cake Tea
If stored properly, many cake teas improve with age. Cake teas should be kept in a dry, moderately ventilated area free from odors.
The “Terracotta Cylinder Aging Method” is particularly suitable: take a wide-mouthed terracotta cylinder, mix old and new tea inside to facilitate aging. For cakes intended for immediate consumption, break them into loose tea and place them in a jar for two weeks before use. This is because the outer layer of cake tea is often looser than the center, which has stronger qi. After applying this “tea qi harmonization method,” the tea's inner and outer qualities complement each other, resulting in higher-quality tea infusion.
Finally, we recommend a great tool for storing loose tea: a thermos. With little air and stable temperature, it preserves quality effectively and is simple to use, making it ideal for home storage.
What should you keep in mind when storing tea in a thermos? First, check the thermos's insulation. If it doesn't retain heat, it's unsuitable. Next, fill the thermos with dry tea, ensuring there's no extra space inside, and tightly seal it with a cap.
Tea isn't meant to be consumed all at once, especially high-quality tea. While we usually don't have rooms full of tea at home, most families enjoy several types of tea. Proper storage enhances the tea's flavor.
No matter the obstacles, proper tea storage is essential.