Tea is the national Drink, and with the improvement of living standards, more and more people are developing a liking for it. If you enjoy drinking tea, it's inevitable that you'll end up storing some at home—whether for your own consumption or for when guests visit. However, how to store tea is a headache for many tea enthusiasts, as improper storage can easily cause the tea to spoil, affecting its taste and potentially turning it into a “toxic” tea that may be harmful to health. So, what should you do if you have too much tea at home?
How to Store Too Much Tea at Home
Firstly, we need to categorize the tea stored at home. If there is a large quantity and variety of teas, it's best to sort them by type for better preservation.
The storage method varies depending on the Fermentation process used in the tea. For lightly roasted or aromatic types of tea, proper sealing is crucial. Choose containers like aluminum Packaging or vacuum cans that provide good seals. Additionally, aromatic teas should ideally be stored separately to avoid their scents mixing and compromising the purity of the original aroma.
Lightly roasted teas typically include Oolong tea, Dragon Well tea, White Peony Silver Needle, Biluochun, Oriental Beauty tea, and green tea.
For heavily roasted teas, the storage method is similar to that of lightly roasted teas. Porcelain jars or clay pots are recommended as containers, and it's advisable to further dry out the tea before storage for longer-term preservation.
However, for Pu'er tea, while clay pots can also be used, it's important not to cover them. Why? Because Pu'er tea undergoes post-fermentation, and moisture in the air helps with this fermentation, contributing to its natural aging.
A clean cloth can be placed over the top to ensure ventilation. This method of storage will allow the Pu'er tea to age well, becoming richer in flavor and producing a brighter red infusion over time.
Another option is to store non-fermented or lightly fermented teas in a refrigerator, while black tea, Oolong tea, rock tea, and dark tea can be stored at room temperature.
Methods for Storing Large Quantities of Tea at Home
1. Refrigerator Storage: Place the tea in a dry, odorless container that can be sealed, then put the container in the refrigerator's refrigeration compartment.
2. Iron Canister Storage Method: Fill a double-lidded iron tea canister with tea, leaving no empty space. Seal both lids tightly, use tape to seal any gaps around the lid, and place the canister inside two layers of nylon Bags, sealing the bag openings for optimal storage.
3. Composite Film Bag Storage Method: Place the tea in a composite bag, squeeze out the air, seal the bag using a sealer, then place the bag inside another plastic bag and tie it shut, storing it in the lower compartment of the refrigerator.
4. Insulated Bottle Storage Method: Place the tea in a dry insulated bottle, secure the cap, seal it with wax, and wrap it with tape.
Regardless of the method, remember that the place where you store tea should be protected from light, humidity, and should be clean and free from odors.