Discover the aroma of aged tea: which teas are better the longer you store them?

Of the many types of tea, not all are suitable for long-term storage. In fact, some teas lose their flavor and quality over time. However, there are also some teas, especially certain fermented or semi-fermented teas, whose flavor improves and enhances with proper storage. In this article, we will explore which teas are suitable for long-term storage and how to properly preserve these teas.

Types of tea suitable for long-term storage

Here are a few teas that are good for long term storage, and the longer you store them, the better:

1. Pu'er tea from the Pu'er region of Yunnan: Pu-erh tea is divided into raw pu-erh and ripe pu-erh. Raw pu-erh, in particular, becomes more mellow and full-bodied in flavor as it ages.
2. plain tea: White teas such as Shou Mei and White Peony will gradually transform into richer aromas and flavors as they are stored for longer periods of time.
3. black tea: Apart from Pu'er tea, other types of black tea, such as Anhua black tea and Liu Bao tea, are also suitable for long-term storage.
4. aged oolong teaOolong teas, such as aged Tieguanyin, have a unique aroma when stored properly.

Tea storage conditions

For the quality of tea to be enhanced during storage, the following conditions must be met:

• Appropriate humidity: Too low humidity is not conducive to the aging of tea, while too high humidity may lead to moldy tea.
• Appropriate temperature: High temperature will accelerate the oxidation of tea leaves and affect its aging process.
• Avoid direct light: Prolonged direct sunlight can destroy the chemical components in tea and affect its quality.
• Avoiding odors: Tea tends to absorb odors from its surroundings and should be stored in an odor-free environment.

Tea Storage Time and Quality Changes

The relationship between storage time and quality changes varies for different types of tea:

1. Pu'er tea from the Pu'er region of Yunnan: Raw pu-erh usually requires a longer period of aging, and may take years or even decades to reach its optimal flavor.
2. plain tea: The aging process of white tea is slow, and it usually takes at least three years to begin to feel noticeable changes.
3. black tea: The aging time for black tea is relatively short, but it does take several years to enhance its quality.
4. aged oolong tea: The aging time of aged oolong teas varies from one variety to another and usually takes several years.

How to recognize whether the tea is suitable for further storage

During storage, you can determine if the tea is suitable for continued storage by:

• fragrance: The aroma of the tea should become richer and deeper with time, and if it develops a musty or other off-flavors, it should not continue to be stored.
• flavor: The flavor of the tea should mellow as it ages, and if it becomes bland and tasteless, it may be past its optimal drinking period.
• color: The color change of tea can also be used as a reference, for example, the color of tea broth of Pu-erh tea will deepen with aging.

Tea storage is an art. For tea that is suitable for long-term storage, the correct preservation method and suitable storage conditions are key. By understanding the storage characteristics of different teas, tea lovers can better enjoy the aroma of aged tea and experience the unique charm of tea given by time.