Roasting

In the height of summer, we've entered the dog days. The weather is both sultry and humid. When we take out some tea stored at home to tidy up, we often find that much of it has molded and can no longer be consumed – a great pity. Nowadays, more and more people enjoy tea, but many don't know the best methods for storing it. Some even keep their tea in basements, garages, or even in the refrigerator with food – all very incorrect practices. Tea leaves have strong hygroscopic and odor-absorbing properties, making them easily susceptible to absorbing moisture and odors from the air. This is especially true in the hot, humid weather of summer when they are more prone to microbial growth. How should you store tea at home? Most teas purchased by households come in cans or as loose tea. Since you won’t use it all at once, you’ll face the issue of storage. Here are some common household tea storage methods. Let’s learn them together. Sealed Bag and Foil Bag Storage Method Select bags with sealable closures designed for food, or professional sealable bags. Choose those made from thicker, higher-density materials and avoid using scented or…

Tea, by nature, is cold and can help clear the mind and soothe the spirit. Different people have different constitutions, which means they should drink different types of tea. Therefore, choosing the right tea and drinking it well starts with understanding the nature of the tea and the suitable groups of people for each type. Nature of Teas 01 Green Tea: The core process is "fixation," making its nature cold. People with a hot constitution, high stomach fire, or abundant energy can benefit from drinking green tea, as it has great effects in clearing heat, refreshing the mind, and boosting alertness. Green tea also has excellent radiation protection benefits, making it ideal for those who work on computers. White Tea: The core process involves "withering and sun drying" followed by natural storage, which transforms the tea's nature from cold to cool and then to mild. Fresh white teas share many properties with green tea, but the most significant difference is that while aged green tea becomes like grass, aged white tea becomes even more precious. As it ages, old white tea becomes even milder, making it suitable for a wider range of people. Oolong Tea (Blue Tea): The core process…

Summer is scorching hot, and you may crave a cup of warm tea. Many tea enthusiasts wonder what kind of tea they should drink during the summer months. Based on different scenarios, we recommend the following teas.Prevent Heatstroke—Drink White Tea Hot weather can easily cause heatstroke, especially for those who work or play outdoors frequently. In this case, white tea is your go-to choice. White tea is lightly fermented without roasting or kneading, making it cool in nature. It contains abundant amino acids that help reduce heat and eliminate summer heat, effectively preventing heatstroke. Consumption Taboos New white tea has a slightly cold nature, so people with cold stomachs should drink less and avoid drinking it on an empty stomach. Boost Energy and Nourish Stomach—Drink Black Tea During summer, people tend to feel listless and drowsy. The caffeine-rich black tea stimulates the central nervous system, accelerates blood circulation, promotes metabolism, thus helping to boost energy and alleviate fatigue. In summer, we often consume icy foods or cold drinks to cool down. However, doing so can easily harm our delicate digestive system. As black tea is warm in nature, it has the effect of warming and protecting the stomach. Therefore, summer…

Summer tea preservation can be divided into two types: one includes green tea, yellow tea, and lightly fragrant oolong tea, which should be sealed in aluminum foil bags, placed in a tin can, and stored in the refrigerator. The second type, including white tea, Pu'er tea, dark tea, and oolong tea with a high charcoal roast level, is suitable for storage at room temperature. When storing these teas, avoid direct sunlight, dampness, and strong odors; they can be kept in cool places such as bookshelves or tea rooms. How to Best Preserve Tea in Summer 1. Room Temperature Storage During the hot summer months, white tea, black tea, Pu'er tea, and oolong tea with high roasting temperatures can be directly stored at room temperature, such as on indoor bookshelves or in cabinets. When storing tea, avoid direct sunlight, dampness, and strong odors to prevent spoilage. 2. Tin Can Storage Prepare a tin can with a double-layered lid and place dried tea leaves inside, pressing them down as you fill it. Try to fill the can as much as possible to minimize air inside. After filling the can, seal the lids and use tape to secure any gaps. Finally, place the…

The scent is the most immediate aspect to greet you before drinking tea. A pleasant aroma refreshes the mind, while an off-odor is displeasing and makes the tea uncomfortable to drink. If you detect any of these unpleasant odors, be cautious. Charred Odor in Tea The charred odor is produced when leaves are carbonized during tea processing. A charred odor in tea typically occurs in two situations: First, if some old leaves are mixed in during stir-frying, or if the leaves aren’t stirred evenly, or if there’s too much leaf debris, they can easily become charred. Another common situation is with Wuyi Rock Tea where, if the roasting isn’t properly controlled, or if the roasting is intentionally overdone to mask some defects in the leaves, it can lead to carbonization. The result is a charred odor and a bitter taste. In daily life, many people don’t pay much attention to the charred odor in their tea. However, charred tea should not be consumed. Most of the nutrients in charred tea have been lost, so from both a nutritional and food hygiene perspective, charred tea leaves should not be drunk. Water-Stagnation Odor in Tea The water-stagnation odor refers to a dull…

According to the GB/T30375-2013 Tea Storage standard, the storage temperature for Dahongpao (Oolong tea) should not exceed 25°C. The environment should be well-ventilated, dry, clean, cool, and shielded from light. Therefore, Dahongpao is best stored at room temperature to ensure its flavor and aroma remain stable. The fridge has a complex environment with high humidity, so it's not necessary to store Dahongpao in the fridge. How Should Dahongpao Be Stored? Dahongpao tea easily absorbs odors and is also susceptible to moisture, high temperatures, and sunlight. After roasting, Dahongpao tea leaves are quite dry; they can crumble under gentle finger pressure, which is the ideal moisture content for long-term storage. The most ideal temperature for storage is around 0-10 degrees Celsius. At an ambient temperature of about 15 degrees Celsius, the shelf life should not exceed four months. At temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius, the shelf life should not exceed two months, or else the tea will exhibit noticeable changes in color and taste. Direct exposure to light accelerates oxidation, so the tea should not be stored in transparent glass containers or exposed to direct sunlight. Dahongpao should not be stored for more than one year under normal temperature conditions. For…

Traditionally processed oolong teas, such as Wuyi rock tea, Phoenix Dancong, and baked Tie Guan Yin, have good stability after roasting. They do not need to be stored in the refrigerator but can be kept in a cool, dry place instead. Oolong teas are generally safe to store at room temperature since they are fully fermented, and this has little impact on their quality. Dark teas, white teas, Pu'er teas, and aged teas, especially Pu'er, rely on aging for their drinking value. Storing these types of tea in the refrigerator could cause dampness issues and also reduce the activity of beneficial enzymes and bacteria within the tea. It is these enzymes and bacteria that contribute to the tea's flavor development over time. Refrigerating these teas would significantly affect their aging process. These types of teas are best stored at room temperature in a dark, well-ventilated, dry area away from strong odors. Storing them in the refrigerator could lead to mold growth. Should Green Tea Be Refrigerated? Green tea is unique because it is meant to be enjoyed for its fresh and crisp taste. Typically, we only drink green tea from the first flush (before the Ming festival). The tea oxidizes…