One of the key factors in storing White Tea is avoiding exposure to light, which means keeping the tea boxes out of direct sunlight. However, with seasonal changes and fluctuations in weather, a momentary oversight can allow sunlight to penetrate and potentially spoil the stored white tea. To properly store a box of tea, several steps need to be followed.
01
How to Keep White Tea Away from Light and Heat at Home?
To store white tea well, it must be kept away from light and heat. After being sealed layer by layer with aluminum bags, plastic bags, and cardboard boxes, the tea needs to be stored in a dry, cool, and dark environment for better aging. The thermal energy in light can damage the nutrients and flavor of the tea, compromising its original color, aroma, and taste. Additionally, the storage environment should remain cool and dry. Considering the need for dark storage, Containers that let light through, such as glass jars and PVC cans, are not suitable for holding tea.
To ensure that the white tea within the box is not disturbed or damaged by light, it is generally not recommended to store the tea on the top floor, in south-facing rooms, or near windows or balconies when storing tea at home. Furthermore, the room where the tea is stored should have blackout curtains. This way, regardless of whether it's cloudy or sunny outside, it won't affect the storage of good tea.
02
Regularly Check the Stored Tea
White tea that is stored long-term and sealed in three layers should indeed not be frequently opened. Opening the box too often can affect the tea's aroma and aging process. Frequent opening also allows external moisture to enter, increasing the risk of the tea losing its fragrance and becoming damp. Therefore, many tea enthusiasts adopt a “laissez-faire” approach to storing white tea, leaving it untouched for years. However, this method of storing tea is not appropriate as it overlooks the need for regular checks.
When storing white tea long-term, it is advisable to open the box and check every three months or so. When checking, after Cutting open the tape sealing the cardboard box with a small knife, do not rush to untie the ties securing the aluminum and plastic bags. Instead, smell the tea through the bags first. If the aroma of the tea is dry, rich, and without any strange or stuffy odors, you can continue storing it with peace of mind and don't need to proceed with further unpacking. If, after opening the box, the tea's aroma is weak or has a slightly stuffy odor, then the bag ties should be untied for inspection. If there are no abnormalities in the appearance of the dry tea, take some samples to Brew and taste. Check if the flavor of the tea infusion has changed. Regular inspections are necessary when storing white tea long-term. Timely discovery of problems enables timely resolution.
03
What to Do When Problems Arise While Storing Tea?
The course of action when problems arise during long-term storage depends on the specific issue. If a small can of white tea taken from a larger box hasn't been finished within three to four months and shows signs of slight loss of fragrance, this can be placed back into the large box to benefit from group aging and regain its aroma. If white tea is accidentally exposed to sunlight, the light will accelerate the decomposition of lipids and chlorophyll within the tea, damaging its aroma and color. In this case, sample some of the tea for tasting. If the aroma is no longer rich but there are no other adverse effects, the tea enthusiast can place the entire box of white tea in a cool, dry place for several months to see if the aroma can be regained. If it can, the tea can be stored with confidence. If not, unfortunately, the tea is difficult to salvage, and its fresh, pure, sweet, and refreshing flavor will be lost, reducing its drinking value.
04
What to Do With Spoiled White Tea?
The spoilage and deterioration of white tea occur in stages. Therefore, for white tea that has developed problems, determining which can still be consumed and which should not be drunk requires an analysis of the storage conditions. If the tea has slightly lost its fragrance and the aroma has become weaker but there are no strange flavors, it can be properly sealed using the three-layer Packaging method, and the entire box of white tea can be stored in a dry, sealed environment to regain its aroma. If the tea has become damp and has turned sour, it should be handled with caution. Its original flavor has been compromised and is not worth drinking. If the tea has become severely damp or even moldy, it should not be consumed under any circumstances. Regardless of how small the area affected by mold is, encountering any mold indicates that the tea has severely deteriorated and has no drinking or collection value.