Wuyuan spring Tea is highly sought after by many tea enthusiasts, who have been receiving fresh and tender Wuyuan Green Tea. After the Spring Tea season, how should Wuyuan green tea be stored to avoid compromising its quality and taste? At this time, let me introduce the key points of storing Wuyuan green tea:
Avoid Moisture:
Most teas have a strong tendency to absorb moisture and become damp. Green tea prefers a dry environment, and once it becomes damp, the vibrant green color will gradually darken. Stored tea must fill the container completely, removing as much air as possible; otherwise, half tea and half air can easily lead to oxidation. When storing, a relative humidity of 60% is most suitable; above 70%, the tea will absorb moisture, develop mold spots, and spoil. Remember to tightly seal the tea bag to prevent moisture absorption.
Avoid High Temperatures:
The ideal temperature for storing spring tea is between 0°C and 5°C. High temperatures can cause the tea to oxidize; avoid keeping tea near the kettle used for boiling water.
Avoid Sunlight:
When storing, direct sunlight should be avoided; ideally, store in a dark place. Sunlight accelerates the oxidation of green tea polyphenols, which can degrade the quality of the tea. Therefore, tea is commonly stored in aluminum or kraft paper bags.
Avoid Oxygen:
The polyphenols and vitamins in green tea are prone to reacting with oxygen in the air. Once oxidized, the tea leaves will darken and the nutritional value will decrease significantly. Thus, after taking out some tea for consumption, ensure that the seal is closed properly.
Avoid Strange Odors:
Tea has a strong adsorptive property and is quite susceptible to absorbing odors. When stored alongside items with strong odors, the tea will absorb these odors and cannot be deodorized.
Common Storage Methods for Wuyuan Green Tea
In the first scenario, for those who drink green tea daily, where the frequency of drinking is high and a canister or box can be consumed within a short period (about one month to 45 days), the tea can be stored in a sealed container at room temperature at home or in the office. A common method is to divide the purchased tea into portions of 50g-100g each. After each use, promptly reseal the container and keep it in a dark place. This makes it convenient to take out and drink, and most offices may not have refrigerators available for storage, making this method simple.
In the second scenario, for those who do not drink tea frequently and are unsure if they will consume an opened pack regularly, it is recommended to store the tea in the refrigerator's chill compartment. This method is often used for tea served to guests at home or in the office, or when a large quantity of tea has been purchased and not portioned out, and is unlikely to be consumed within 2-6 months. In such cases, storing the tea in the refrigerator is essential to prevent the tea from losing its vibrant green color, becoming yellowish, and having diminished aroma and flavor, all of which would affect its quality.
The refrigerator typically contains many other food items, so extra care should be taken to ensure proper sealing, ideally using aluminum foil packaging. This prevents the tea from absorbing various odors present in the refrigerator, which could affect the taste. If possible, using a dedicated refrigerator for tea storage is optimal.