Tea stored for some time, whether vacuum-sealed or not, will inevitably undergo changes. The chlorophyll and polyphenols in the tea may cause it to yellow, redden, develop off-flavors, or even mold. Before consuming stored tea, first check for mold—if there's a musty smell, discard it. If it only has a slight stale or aged taste, adjust the brewing method to improve the flavor.

Method 1:

Use high-temperature water, preferably boiling. The first steep should be longer than usual, then discard it. From the second steep onward, shorten the brewing time by half—brew quickly and drink while hot.

Method 2:

Lower the water temperature slightly and follow the standard brewing time to avoid bitterness.

Method 3:

Switch to a larger teapot (like a "pot mother"), reduce the tea-to-water ratio, and the taste will improve.

If your stored tea has slight off-flavors but no mold, try these three brewing methods to restore its original taste!