How To Store White Tea

White tea, a lightly fermented tea, is one of the six basic types of Chinese tea.White tea is processed in the simplest way, without fixation or rolling, only withering (natural dehydration) and drying (sun-drying or low-temperature baking). Withering is an important step in the processing of white tea, in which the tea leaves are spread out to gradually lose moisture, enabling enzyme reactions inside the leaves that result in the distinctive aroma and flavor of white tea. Drying removes moisture from the tea leaves, enhancing the scent and eliminating bitterness. White tea is neither fried or rolled during the production process, which keeps a significant amount of natural substances in the tea leaves, which gives white tea its unique quality.

Therefore, the correct storage methods are crucial to retaining the flavor and quality of white tea.

Firstly, the choice of storage environment.

Moisture control is critical. The storage environment for white tea must be dry, with humidity preferably kept at roughly 40% -50%. Because white tea absorbs too much moisture, it quickly becomes wet and moldy. As a result, avoid storing white tea in wet areas such as basements and kitchens with high humidity. To check the humidity at any time, we can prepare a hygrometer and put it in the area where white tea is kept. If the humidity is too high, we can use a dehumidifier to lower it.

The temperature should be suitable. Temperature also affects the storage of white tea. Generally speaking, it can be stored at room temperature, preferably around 25℃. If the it is too high, the oxidation rate of white tea accelerates, perhaps causing the tea to lose its fragrance and flavor prematurely. However,if it is too low, the changes in the tea leaves are slowed, but they are also unsuitable for regular transformation.

No odor is important. White tea is a “sponge” that absorbs scents from its surroundings. As a result, the location where it is stored must be devoid of aromas like mothballs, perfume, and lampblack.

Secondly, the selection of storage containers

One of the primary rules of storing white tea is to keep it away from light. Tea’s quality and taste can be significantly impacted by the sun’s UV rays, which can harm the components in tea and alter the color and flavor. When storing white tea, use a light-proof container so that the tea leaves are not directly exposed to sunlight.

A well-sealed paper box: it is a typical and useful container for keeping white tea. However, it is important to select a high-quality, thick paper box with excellent sealing capabilities. To avoid moisture, you can first line the paper box with a layer of aluminum foil or a plastic bag before putting the white tea.

Ceramic jar: it is also a wonderful option. Ceramic is permeable while maintaining a certain amount of sealing. When choosing a ceramic jar, look for one that is unglazed and has a rough interior surface to aid in the absorption and retention of white tea aroma. When keeping in a ceramic jar, insert a layer of desiccant at the bottom, then add the white tea and cover with the lid.

Tin can or iron can: Storing white tea in tin or iron cans is also highly beneficial, since metals have strong sealing and preservation capabilities, separating air and moisture.

Finally, storage method requirements

Separate storage: White teas of different years and types should be kept apart for optimal results. This is due to the fact that white teas from different years change to varying degrees, and keeping them together may have an impact on one another. For example, storing new tea and aged white tea together may result in the aroma of the aged tea being influenced by the astringency of the new tea. Additionally, different varieties of white tea, such as Silver Needle, White Peony, or Shou Mei, have different aroma and flavor. Storing them separately helps to better preserve their individual characteristics.

Regular inspection: Storing white tea is a continuous process that must be checked on a regular basis. Open the storage container every now and then, perhaps once a month, to check on the condition of the white tea. Inspect the tea leaves for signs of wetness or mildew, and check the aroma for any changes. If any problems are discovered, they should be corrected right away. If the tea leaves are moist, they can be air-dried. If there is a strange odor, ventilate the space to eliminate it. If mold is detected, the contaminated tea should be thrown right once to prevent it from spreading to other tea leaves.