Wang Xiangjin of the Ming Dynasty, in "Qun Fang Pu" (Guide to Flowers), summarized the preservation and storage of tea in three sentences: "It prefers warmth and dryness but dislikes cold and dampness; it enjoys coolness and freshness but despises stuffiness and heat; it should be kept purely alone and avoids fragrant or foul smells." Han Wan of the Tang Dynasty wrote in "Yu Shi Tai Ji" (Records of the Censorate): "Store in earthenware to prevent summer dampness." Zhao Xihu of the Song Dynasty mentioned in "Tiao Xie Lei Bian" (Categorized Compilation of Harmonization): "The method of storing tea: use a jar for ten jin (about 5 kg) of tea. Every year, burn rice straw to ash and put it into a large bucket. Place the tea jar inside the bucket, fill the space around the jar with ash, cover the jar with ash, and compact it. When needed, brush aside the ash to open the jar, take a small amount of tea, then cover it again with ash; this prevents moisture." Xu Cishu of the Ming Dynasty also described in "Cha Shu" (On Tea): "For collection, use porcelain jars, large enough to hold ten to twenty jin. Line the surroundings with thick bamboo leaves, then store the tea inside. The jar must be extremely dry and new, dedicated solely to this purpose. The longer it is used, the better; it does not need to be replaced yearly." This indicates that tea preservation was highly valued even in ancient China. Below are several common methods for household tea storage:
Jar Storage Method: When using this method to store tea, the selected container must be dry and odorless, with a tight structure. Common containers include ceramic jars, earthenware pots, and rust-free iron buckets. Additionally, it is important to note that different types of tea generally should not be stored together. This is because black tea is processed through fermentation, scented tea relies on its floral aroma, and green tea has its own distinct character. If several teas with different styles and distinct aromas are stored together in one household, they can cross-contaminate and lose their original characteristics.
Canister Storage Method: Currently, many households use commercially available iron cans, bamboo boxes, or wooden boxes to store tea. If these cans or boxes are double-layered, their moisture-proof performance is even better. Iron cans or boxes containing tea should be placed in a cool place, avoiding dampness and direct sunlight. If the canned tea is not for immediate consumption, the opening can be sealed with transparent tape to prevent moist air from entering.
Bag Storage Method: The most commonly used method nowadays is storing tea in plastic bags. This is also one of the simplest and most economical methods for household tea storage. Whether plastic bag packaging can effectively preserve tea depends crucially on two factors: first, the tea itself must be dry, and second, appropriate packaging materials must be selected.
Refrigeration Method: Refrigerating tea in a refrigerator can yield satisfactory results. However, two points must be noted: first, prevent the tea from being contaminated by fishy odors from the refrigerator; second, the tea must be dry.
Only scientific storage can maximize the preservation of the tea's original flavor; otherwise, even the finest tea is wasted. By following the methods above, tea storage should generally be trouble-free!