How to properly store the best Chinese tea to preserve its benefits?
Properly storing your tea is essential to preserve its aromatic richness and health benefits. Each type of tea has its own specific requirements. Here are the best practices, inspired by Chinese traditions, to maintain the quality of your exceptional teas.
Storing green and fresh teas
Green teas and other so-called "fresh" teas are the most susceptible to oxidation. They quickly lose their aromas and benefits if storage conditions are not optimal.
In China, we usually store them in the freezer, in airtight packaging, to preserve their freshness for a whole year.
If you cannot freeze them, it is recommended to store them in a cool, dry place, away from light and to consume them quickly after opening.
General rules for storing tea
All types of tea – whether black tea, white tea, oolong tea, or flavored teas – should be protected from air, heat, humidity, direct light, and strong odors.
Tea is a living substance, highly sensitive to its environment. Improper storage can lead to a loss of taste, altered aromas, and a reduction in its antioxidant properties.
To best preserve the quality of your tea, store it in an airtight container (iron, ceramic or tinted glass) and keep it away from any source of heat or odor.
Storing Pu-erh Tea: A Specific Approach
Pu-erh tea, unique in its kind, continues to ferment after production. It improves with age, like a fine wine. Its preservation therefore follows specific rules.
There are two main methods of storing Pu-erh: wet storage and dry storage.
Wet storage
Traditionally, when Pu-erh was transported to Tibet through the misty forests of Yunnan, the ambient humidity encouraged accelerated aging of the tea. In Hong Kong, this method was adopted in warehouses where humidity was deliberately kept high to accelerate fermentation.
Dry storage
Today, many tea producers in China favor more controlled, dry storage. Pu-erh tea is then stored in a low-humidity but stable environment, allowing for slower, more refined aging. This process results in more subtle, nuanced, and profound aromas.
- Humidity is necessary for the growth of microorganisms that transform the leaves. Oxygen, on the other hand, allows enzymes to soften the astringency of the tea and develop sweeter, milder notes.
Practical tips for storing your raw Pu-erh
Raw Pu-erh is a living tea that evolves naturally over the years. To promote its aging, follow these tips:
- Keep it in its original paper.
- Store it in a wooden or cardboard box.
- Avoid airtight boxes or bags: slight ventilation is necessary.
- Store it at room temperature, in a dry place, away from light.
- Maintain a moderate humidity level (between 70 and 80%), without excess.
Over time, your Pu-erh tea will develop rich, deep, and complex flavors. Patience and proper storage conditions are the keys to an exceptional Pu-erh.
Don't want to wait?
Discover our selection of Pu-erh teas aged naturally in the best conditions, ready to taste in our store: Here