Liubao Tea, Anhua dark tea, raw Pu'er tea, ripe Pu'er tea, and Fuding white tea can be stored for a long time. These teas are post-fermented or aged over time. They contain abundant pectin, sugars, amino acids, etc., and require time for enzymatic reactions. As they age, their aroma becomes richer, making them suitable for long-term storage.
Which Teas Are Suitable for Long-Term Storage?
1. White Tea
White tea is often referred to as “a one-year tea, three-year medicine, seven-year treasure.” Storing white tea helps transform its fresh, sweet flavor, increasing its Sweetness and developing aromas like jujube and medicinal herbs, with a clear, sweet taste. White tea aged for more than three years has a gentler nature, making it very suitable for people with weaker spleen and stomachs to drink.
2. Pu'er Tea
Both raw and ripe Pu'er tea can be stored for a long time, but raw tea has greater storage value. Stored in different environments, Pu'er tea undergoes changes in different directions, which is extremely intriguing. The longer the storage time, the richer the layers of taste and the stronger the flavor.
3. Dark Tea
Storing dark tea benefits the further transformation by beneficial bacteria, making the taste sweeter, smoother, and more mellow. For example, Liubao tea from Guangxi and Anhua dark tea from Hunan can both be stored for a long time.
4. Oolong Tea
Wu Yi rock tea, heavily roasted Tie Guan Yin, and Taiwanese charcoal-roasted oolong tea are suitable for storage. Regarding Tie Guan Yin, the state has issued relevant standards defining teas that have been stored for at least five years and roasted as aged-aroma Tie Guan Yin, commonly known as “old Tie.” “Old Tie” has a faint roasted aroma and aged fragrance, with a smooth and mellow taste and low bitterness and astringency.
How to Store Tea Properly Without Spoiling?
1. Green tea is a semi-Fermented tea and has higher requirements for preservation. At room temperature, the shelf life of green tea is generally around one year.
2. Green tea should be stored in a cool, dark place. The best option is to store it in the refrigerator at a low temperature, without freezing.
3. Ensure not to store other strongly flavored foods in the refrigerator. Place the green tea in a clean, dry tin can, filling it as much as possible to leave no space. Seal the lid tightly and place several layers of bags in the refrigerator's refrigeration compartment.
Yellow Tea:
1. Yellow tea is a lightly fermented tea, and its storage method is similar to that of green tea. The shelf life of yellow tea is generally around one year.
2. If there isn't much tea, you can wrap it in Xuan paper, which will help prevent moisture to some extent, then seal it in a jar and place it in the refrigerator.
3. Compressed yellow tea, using the compression process of dark tea, can be stored for a few more years compared to regular yellow tea.
Black Tea:
1. Black tea is a fully fermented tea with a longer shelf life, normally about three years.
2. The dry leaves of black tea have a low moisture content and are susceptible to dampness or loss of aroma; avoid mixing it with different types of tea. The place where black tea is stored should be sealed, kept dry, and protected from light and high temperatures.
3. The best choice for storing black tea is a dedicated container.
Dark Tea:
1. Dark tea is a post-fermented tea that improves with age and can be stored long-term, for at least ten years, with excellent medicinal value.
2. Unlike other tea types, storing dark tea requires avoiding airtight conditions and refrigerators. If the tea is stored in an overly sealed environment, it will affect its transformation and metabolism. Additionally, dark tea in a cold environment does not benefit its quality improvement.
3. Dark tea should be stored in a place away from direct sunlight, well-ventilated, and dry. It should not be stored together with substances with strong or pungent odors to prevent odor contamination that could spoil the tea.
White Tea:
1. White tea is a minimally processed tea and can be stored for a long time, at least twenty years or more.
2. When storing white tea, ensure low moisture content, protection from light, and high temperatures. The container used for storing white tea should be non-toxic, odorless, and moisture-proof.
3. The ideal temperature for storing white tea is between 4°C and 25°C, meaning it can be stored at room temperature. However, during summer, it is recommended to store it in the refrigerator, sealed.
Oolong Tea:
1. Oolong tea is a semi-fermented tea, and storing oolong tea should be done similarly to storing green tea. Typically, sealed packages of oolong tea have a shelf life of 12 to 24 months.
2. When storing oolong tea, pay attention to preventing moisture, avoiding light, and sealing it properly. Store it in a dry, dark, sealed, and non-ventilated place free from strong odors.
3. If possible, use a tin can with excellent airtightness, and store it in the refrigerator at a low temperature for optimal results.