Tea enthusiasts store different vintages, types, and regional teas every year. As long as the tea is stored correctly, it will surely bring delightful changes over time.

The tea ages with the tea lover—perhaps this is the greatest joy of storing tea!

Different types of tea have distinct characteristics and aging requirements; some should be consumed promptly, while others can be stored for a longer period. After their transformation, the tea's properties become more suitable for human consumption. Therefore, it's essential to analyze storage tips based on the specific type of tea.

The storage methods vary greatly among different types of tea.

The most fundamental difference among the six types of tea lies in their degree of fermentation, which results in distinct flavor profiles. The degree of fermentation is controlled through various processing techniques.

01

Green Tea: Naturally Achieved Green Tones

Storage Tips: Should not be stored for too long, try not to carry over to the next year.

Green tea should be stored in a cool, dark place or refrigerated, especially high-aroma teas (such as Longjing tea). It's best to have a dedicated small refrigerator for tea storage. Odors in household refrigerators are a big no-no for tea storage!

If you purchase large quantities of green tea at once, unopened packages should be stored in the freezer. It's important not to repeatedly freeze and thaw the same package, as the taste can change significantly. Consider dividing the tea into smaller portions for freezing.

When drinking frozen green tea, wait until the contents of the packaging have reached room temperature before opening, otherwise, the significant temperature difference can cause the tea to lose its freshness and deteriorate.

02

Yellow Tea: Yellow Leaves and Liquor

Storage Tips: Should not be stored for more than one year, consume promptly (except compressed yellow tea).

The production process of yellow tea is similar to that of green tea, so the storage methods can be the same.

However, compressed yellow tea incorporates the compression technique used in black tea, making it more durable. In terms of taste, after a few years of storage, it can still retain the pleasant and sweet flavor of yellow tea.

03

Black Tea: Aromatic Red Tones

Storage Tips: Best consumed within one year, can be stored for over two years, but may lose its aroma over time.

Black tea has a low moisture content and is susceptible to dampness or loss of aroma. Avoid mixing different types of tea during storage. Keep it sealed, dry, away from light, and avoid high temperatures.

The aroma of new-season black tea may be appealing, but it tends to be fiery. It's recommended to let it rest for 1-2 months before consumption. Black tea tastes and smells the best after being stored for one year. It can also be stored for over two years. After aging, the aroma becomes subtle, the taste mellows, and the tea becomes more robust. Aged black tea has a noticeable effect on digestion.

04

Oolong Tea: Green Leaves with a Blue Hue

Storage Tips: Oolong tea often has two harvest seasons; it's not recommended to buy in bulk. “Buy regularly and enjoy fresh” is ideal.

Oolong tea is easy to store; just ensure it's protected from dampness, light, and properly sealed.

Generally, roasted teas should not be consumed immediately. Firstly, they can be too fiery, and secondly, the heat can mask the tea's natural flavors. The roasting level of oolong tea can be categorized as light, medium, and full roast, each with its own optimal time for consumption and storage:

Light Roast: Best consumed after 1-2 months. Unroasted or lightly roasted oolong teas (like fragrant Tieguanyin) have a shorter shelf life to maintain their fresh and refreshing taste. They can be refrigerated, but it's best not to consume them after more than one year.

Medium Roast: Best consumed after 3-5 months. Can be stored at room temperature.

Full Roast: Best consumed after 6 months to one year. Can be stored at room temperature.

05

White Tea: Softly Wrapped Green Tones

Storage Tips: One-year tea, three-year medicine, seven-year treasure.

New white tea has a strong grassy aroma and is cool in nature. After aging, the tea becomes milder. White tea over twenty years old is suitable for brewing.

The environment for storing white tea needs to be clean, well-ventilated, away from light, and free from odors. If you want to age white tea, consider sealed storage, placing it on a high shelf. There's no need for low-temperature preservation; room temperature is sufficient. The longer it's stored, the darker the dry leaves and liquor become, and the taste becomes smoother and softer.

When aging white tea, lower-grade Bai Mudan and Shoumei are generally preferred, while Silver Needle, known for its freshness, can be enjoyed sooner.

06

Dark Tea: Rich, Smooth, and Black Tones

Storage Tips: Gets better with age, can be stored long-term.

Dark tea can be stored at room temperature. Excessive dryness can cause the tea to lose moisture and affect its taste, while excessive humidity can lead to mold growth. If the weather is very dry, you can use a humidifier or place a bowl of water near the Pu'er tea, but be sure not to spill any water on the tea.

Proper ventilation and dryness are also critical. It's best to use containers with good air permeability for storage. You can store it in a Ceramic jar, seal the jar opening, and take precautions against dampness. Be mindful of extreme temperatures and ensure there are no odors in the environment. You can also store it on a ventilated wooden rack and avoid direct sunlight.

Although dark tea can be stored for many years without spoiling in appropriate conditions, tea is still a food product. Appropriate aging improves its drinkability, but storing it for excessively long periods, such as decades or even centuries, increases the risk when consuming it.