Tea lovers often keep a good stock of tea at home. Some store their tea in the fridge, or even buy a small fridge specifically for this purpose. However, this is a common misconception – whether tea should be stored in the fridge depends on the type. Here are some basics about storing tea in the fridge.
Green Tea, Yellow Tea, and some oolong teas need to be refrigerated, while Pu'er, white tea, dark tea, black tea, and oolong teas with higher fermentation levels should be stored at room temperature and sealed. When storing these teas, it's important to prevent odors, dampness, ensure airtight conditions, and avoid light. If you plan to consume the tea within two months, simply store it in a cool place at room temperature.
Green tea, yellow tea, and lightly fermented oolong teas need to be refrigerated. These teas have low fermentation levels or are unfermented, making them highly active and susceptible to environmental factors and oxidation, which can alter their quality. To maintain their flavor and aroma, they should be properly sealed and refrigerated.
Which Teas Need Refrigeration?
The main types of tea that benefit from fridge storage are green tea and lightly oxidized Oolong Tea.
Of the six main categories of tea, green tea is the most prone to spoilage and requires special attention during storage. You can seal the tea in a tin and then place it in a sealed bag before putting it in the fridge. Lightly oxidized Tie Guan Yin and drawn moisture Phoenix single-origin teas can also be stored in the fridge.
Dark tea, Pu'er, and white tea undergo post-production transformations, especially Pu'er, where aging plays a significant role in developing its drinking value.
Storing these teas in the fridge can cause issues beyond just dampness. In the fridge's low temperatures, the activity of the biological enzymes in the tea decreases, affecting the efficiency of the tea's transformation.