Understand the main factors of tea deterioration
Light
Light irradiation can accelerate various chemical reactions and adversely affect the storage of tea, so tea should be stored away from light.
temperature
The higher the temperature, the faster the tea ageing. The experimental results show that every 10 degrees of temperature increase, the aging speed of tea will increase 3-5 times. If the tea is stored in a cold storage below 10 degrees Celsius, the browning process can be better delayed.
Moisture
Moisture is a necessary condition for many chemical reactions in the aging process of tea. The results of the study believe that when the moisture content in tea is about 3%, it can effectively delay the oxidative deterioration of lipids. When the moisture content in the tea exceeds 6%, the aging speed increases sharply.
oxygen
Oxygen can combine with many chemical components in tea to oxidize it and deteriorate. For example, the catechins, vitamin C, tea polyphenols, theaflavins, thearubigens, and esters in tea will be oxidized and deteriorated, so it is best to store tea in isolation from oxygen.
The key to the storage of tea is ＞＞
Pressure-proof, moisture-proof, sealed, light-proof, and odor-proof
Generally, the aroma and taste of tea will change somewhat after storage, but if it is exposed to high temperature, high humidity and sunlight at the same time, it will age and deteriorate in a short period of time.
Note: Different scented teas should not be mixed and stored, because they will absorb each other's fragrance, easily absorb peculiar smell, and confuse the original fragrance.
Tips for Keeping Tea at Home
Tea has moisture absorption and strong adsorption, it is easy to absorb moisture and peculiar smell in the air, if the storage method is slightly improper, it will lose its flavor in a short period of time. Here are some rules for keeping tea at home.
Canning method
The pot storage method is one of the more common methods for storing tea at home, mainly in iron pots, bamboo boxes or wooden boxes. If these cans or boxes are double-layered, the moisture resistance will be better. The tin can or box containing tea should be kept in a cool place, away from humidity and direct sunlight. If the canned tea leaves are temporarily not consumed, they can be sealed with transparent tape to prevent the infiltration of moist air.
Applicable tea
Black tea is easily damp or fragrant. It is better to use tin foil or tin foil canned tea.
Green tea (oolong tea) is a semi-fermented tea, which is easier to store. It is better to use tin cans to hold the tea. If you don’t have one, you can also use iron or porcelain cans to hold the tea.
1. specific method
Put a food-grade plastic bag inside the tank first (to keep the tank clean).
1-2 small packets of silica gel can be placed in each can (keep the can dry), and cover and seal after installation, and store in a cool and dark place.
2. Altar Tibetan Method
The container used in the altar method must be dry and tasteless, with a tight structure. Common containers include pottery wares, rust-free iron buckets and so on. What needs to be reminded is that tea is usually not suitable for mixing, because different teas have different aromas. If they are stored together, they will lose their original characteristics due to mutual infection.
Applicable tea
Yellow tea storage in a tiled altar is conducive to keeping it dry.
specific method
Wrap the tea leaves with kraft paper or other thicker paper. Put the tea leaves in the tile altar, stack the lime bag in the middle, the size of the lime bag depends on the situation.
Put cotton or thick paper on the mouth of the altar to reduce air circulation. Generally more than one month later, open the inspection, if the lime color becomes darker, it needs to be replaced.
3. Bottle storage method
The flask of the thermos has excellent light-proof, heat-preserving and air-isolating properties. It should be noted that you must choose a thermos with good heat preservation performance.
Applicable tea
It is also a good choice to store the green tea in a thermos. It is necessary to close the lid tightly and seal the mouth of the bottle with white wax.
specific method
Put the dry tea into the bottle, remember to pack enough, try not to leave space in the bottle;
Cover the bottle tightly with a bottle stopper. If you seal it with wax and wrap it with tape, the effect will be better. This can mainly prevent air from entering the bottle.