For several days, most areas have been experiencing continuous high temperatures. Facing this “great heat,” have you considered whether your tea leaves are also afraid of high temperatures? Are your tea leaves stored properly?

It turns out that tea storage not only requires protection from moisture but also from high temperatures. High temperatures can damage the structure of tea leaves and accelerate the degradation of chlorophyll in Green Tea. Polyphenols and other substances will also undergo oxidation reactions more readily at high temperatures, which can easily lead to the spoilage of tea.

The optimal storage temperature for tea is between 0°C and 5°C. When the environmental temperature is too high, amino acids, sugars, vitamins, and aromatic compounds in tea decompose, resulting in a decrease in the quality, aroma, and flavor of the tea. If tea is exposed to air for a long time, many of its components can easily combine with oxygen in the air, significantly reducing their nutritional value.

In addition, green tea contains high-molecular-weight palmatase and terpenoid compounds. These substances are very active and unstable, capable of absorbing various odors. Therefore, when such teas are stored together with items that have an Odor, they will absorb the odor and cannot be rid of it.

The most suitable storage temperature for tea is between 0°C and 5°C. If the temperature rises, sugars, amino acids, vitamins, and aromatic compounds in the tea will be decomposed and damaged, leading to a decline in the quality and aroma of the tea.

01 Avoid Sunlight Exposure

If tea is exposed to sunlight for a prolonged period, it promotes the oxidation of pigments and ester compounds within the tea, causing chlorophyll to break down into demagnesium chlorophyll. Tea should not be stored in glass containers because when stored in glass containers or transparent plastic bags, exposure to sunlight causes chemical reactions in the tea's internal substances, spoiling the quality of green tea.

02 Avoid Long-Term Contact with Oxygen

Chlorophyll, Vitamin C, esters, and aldehydes in tea can easily combine with oxygen in the air. Oxidized green tea will cause the tea broth to turn red and deepen in color, significantly reducing its nutritional value.

03 The Space for Storing Tea Should Not Be Too Humid

During the Roasting process, tea loses a significant amount of moisture, so finished tea has a strong ability to absorb moisture and become damp. A relative humidity of around 60% is most suitable for storing tea. If the humidity exceeds 70%, the tea can become damp and develop mold, leading to acidification and spoilage.

With high temperatures and humidity in summer, how can one store tea to avoid spoilage?

As a perishable food item, tea is susceptible to deterioration due to factors like moisture, temperature, humidity, light, and oxygen, leading to aging and loss of its fresh flavor. Therefore, the storage environment for tea needs to be dry, dark, and well-ventilated.

01

Use Airtight Containers The better the airtightness of the container, the easier it is to maintain the quality of the tea, and the tea will last longer in the container.

02

Avoid Direct Sunlight Phenolic compounds and chlorophyll in tea are more prone to oxidation under direct sunlight, leading to discoloration and spoilage of the tea. The changes are more pronounced with direct exposure to strong sunlight. Always use non-light-absorbing cans, which should be sealed and placed in cabinets or drawers. If using cans, cylinders, or boxes to store tea, do not place them on tables or cabinet tops that receive long-term exposure to sunlight or on windowsills, as sunlight can affect the quality of the tea.

03

Maintain Dryness to Prevent Moisture The more moisture there is in tea, the harder it is to preserve. Therefore, tea must not be allowed to become damp. The container used to hold the tea does not necessarily need to be completely airtight if it is kept in a dry place, which reduces the chance of moisture absorption, benefiting the preservation of the tea. If you live on a lower floor and are in the south, or if there is a possibility of water accumulation where you store your tea, do not place the tea directly on the ground. Instead, it is best to keep it in a multi-tiered cabinet, on a higher level, or in a separate small space with shelves.

04

Store in an Airtight Container in a Well-Ventilated Area When storing tea, ensure good airflow. When storing tea at home, it is best not to smoke in the space where the tea is stored. Keep the tea away from the bathroom and kitchen to prevent contamination from the air. If there is original packaging, it is recommended to store the tea along with its original packaging. Tea brands put effort into their own packaging, which helps with preservation. Additionally, the container used to store the tea must be clean and free of any odor to prevent the tea from changing taste and becoming spoiled. Lastly, some tea enthusiasts prefer to store tea in the refrigerator, believing that the tea will be safe there. However, not every type of tea is suitable for low-temperature storage. For example, jasmine-scented tea, if stored in a cold environment for a long time, will lose its brightness in fragrance and will no longer be as fragrant and intense as before.

The most suitable teas for refrigeration are those that need to maintain freshness or aromatic activity, such as green tea or lightly fragranced Tieguanyin, with an appropriate temperature range of 0°C to 5°C. On the other hand, once tea is taken out of a low-temperature environment and then returned, the rapid change in temperature can cause the tea to absorb moisture, increasing its moisture content, which is not conducive to drinking and storage. Of course, another important point is that there should be no cross-contamination of flavors in the refrigerator. Once tea stored in the refrigerator absorbs other odors, it is impossible to remove the odor and restore it to its original state.