Is the tea broken when pinched

Tea that shatters when pinched does not necessarily mean it is bad. It may be a sign of high dryness, but it can also become fragile due to moisture and deterioration. The fragility of tea is closely related to its production process and storage conditions, and requires comprehensive judgment based on appearance, odor, and other factors. Tea leaves with high dryness undergo sufficient dehydration during processing, resulting in brittle and hard leaves that are easily broken under slight stress. This is a normal phenomenon, especially common in non fermented teas such as green tea and oolong tea. This type of tea often has a fresh aroma, natural color, and a transparent tea soup after brewing, which is a sign of good quality. Tea leaves that use low-temperature slow drying technology are more likely to retain intact strands, while tea leaves that use high-temperature fast drying are more fragile. Tea leaves that have been affected by moisture can soften due to water infiltration, and the fiber structure will be damaged during later drying, resulting in fragile characteristics. This type of tea is often accompanied by odors such as moldy and sour taste, dark or moldy leaves at the bottom, and cloudy tea soup after brewing. Tea leaves that have been exposed to humid environments for a long time, or loose tea with poorly sealed packaging, are more prone to this situation. Improper storage of post fermented tea such as Pu erh ripe tea may also lead to loose and fragile leaves due to excessive oxidation.

It is recommended to store tea leaves in a cool and dry place, use sealed containers that are away from light, and avoid contact with odorous substances. Regularly check the condition of the tea leaves. If moisture is found, they can be placed in a clean environment and dried in the shade. However, moldy tea leaves must be discarded. Different types of tea have different requirements for storage humidity. Green tea should be kept dry, while black tea can be properly ventilated. Proper storage can maximize the preservation of tea quality.