Tea humidity of 60 is it too wet or too dry

Tea humidity of 60% is significantly high and may affect tea quality and storage safety. The ideal humidity for tea should be controlled below 50%, as 60% humidity may cause mold growth, accelerated oxidation, or loss of flavor. Tea leaves exhibit significantly increased water activity in a 60% humidity environment, making them susceptible to the growth of mold and microorganisms. Unfermented teas such as green tea and white tea are more sensitive to humidity, and may experience darkening of leaf color and weakened aroma. Although partially fermented teas such as oolong tea and black tea have slightly stronger tolerance, prolonged exposure to this humidity can still accelerate aging. Excessive humidity can also promote the automatic oxidation of tea polyphenols, resulting in cloudy soup color, weak taste, and in severe cases, an unpleasant stuffy taste.

In special circumstances, post fermented teas such as Pu erh tea require a brief period of high humidity during specific processing stages to promote microbial transformation, but professional humidity control equipment is required. The humidity of Pu'er tea stored in traditional warehouses is usually controlled within 55%, and timely intervention is still needed for a humidity of 60%. Some tea merchants may intentionally increase the humidity to gain weight. After brewing, the bottom of these tea leaves may become soft and the aroma may be dull, posing a safety hazard for long-term consumption.

It is recommended to use food grade desiccants or dehumidifiers to reduce the humidity to 45% -50%, and different types of tea should be stored separately. Regularly check the condition of the tea leaves, and if they are found to be damp, they should be immediately spread and dried. Traditional containers such as purple clay jars and tin jars require the use of a hygrometer, while modern aluminum foil bags combined with deoxidizers are a more reliable choice. Humidity control directly affects the safety of tea consumption and requires special attention.