How to Store Tea
How to Store Tea
Tea easily deteriorates. Factors such as temperature, humidity, odors, light, air, and microorganisms affect its quality, so proper storage is essential. To store tea well, one must understand its characteristics.
Tea has three properties: hygroscopicity, aging tendency, and odor absorption. Thus, storage must prevent moisture, mold, spoilage, and odor contamination. Tea’s porous structure and high content of hydrophilic substances make it highly hygroscopic. Once moisture exceeds 12%, tea readily molds and spoils. Therefore, tea must be stored in a dry, ventilated place. Volatile aromatic compounds in tea easily evaporate, and chlorophyll and tannins oxidize easily, causing loss of aroma and discoloration or turbidity of the brew. Ideally, purchase enough tea to consume within a month. If tea comes in paper packaging or cardboard boxes, transfer it promptly into sealed bottles or containers, ensuring airtightness and protection from light. Tea contains terpenes with porous structures, making it highly susceptible to absorbing odors. Strict separation from odoriferous items is necessary. Especially keep away from strongly scented items like Sichuan pepper, camphor balls, soap, kerosene, alcohol, dried fish, etc. Different grades and types of tea should be stored separately. Frequently used tea should be separated from unused tea, minimizing contact with air. Premium tea should be stored in sealed special containers, filled completely with no empty space, helping preserve quality.
Best storage containers are tin cans, which are airtight and resistant to moisture and oxidation. Other options include bamboo boxes, wooden boxes, iron boxes, and glass jars. In southern regions, bamboo boxes or bamboo tubes are suitable; in northern areas, bamboo boxes dry out and leak easily. Northern climates favor wooden or iron boxes—wood prevents moisture, while iron is airtight, attractive, and convenient to use.
For long-term storage, take stricter measures: seal the container tightly, tape the lid seam with adhesive tape, then wrap the container in two layers of nylon bags and tie securely. For larger quantities, store in ceramic jars. Before sealing, wrap tea in white paper into several packages tied with string, place around the jar’s edges; put a small bag of lime in the center to absorb moisture. Press down with straw or cotton padding, seal the jar tightly. Replace the lime bag every one to two months. Never use newspapers to wrap tea, as ink can contaminate it, posing health risks upon consumption.