The best preservation method for green tea

The best way to preserve green tea is to seal it away from light, keep it cool and moisture-proof, and isolate odors. There are mainly methods such as sealed jar storage, refrigerator refrigeration, packaging to avoid light, keeping away from odors, and drinking in a timely manner.

1. Sealed jar storage

Using opaque ceramic or tin jars to seal and store green tea can effectively isolate air and moisture. Tea leaves are prone to oxidation and deterioration when exposed to oxygen, leading to the volatilization of aroma and darkening of color. Food grade deoxidizers can be placed in sealed containers to further extend the shelf life. Avoid using transparent glass bottles or plastic boxes for long-term storage.

2. Refrigeration

Storing unopened green tea in the refrigerator compartment at around 5 ℃ can significantly slow down the aging rate of tea leaves. Double packaging with aluminum foil or sealed bags is required before refrigeration to prevent condensation from seeping in. Before taking it out for consumption, it is necessary to restore it to room temperature before opening to avoid condensation due to temperature differences. It is recommended to consume the opened tea leaves within one month.

3. Light shielding packaging

Large packaged green tea should be packaged in small portions and sealed for storage to reduce repeated opening and closing and exposure to air. Seal immediately after each use and store in a cool, dark cabinet. Ultraviolet radiation can accelerate the decomposition of tea polyphenols, leading to cloudy soup color and reduced taste. Dark colored tea cans are more conducive to avoiding light and preserving freshness than transparent containers.

4. Stay Away from Odors

Green tea has strong adsorption properties and should be kept away from odor sources such as kitchen fumes and cosmetics. Can be stored together with activated carbon packs to absorb odors, but should not come into direct contact with moisture-proof agents such as camphor balls. Processed teas such as jasmine tea should also be stored separately to avoid cross flavors affecting the original leaf flavor.

5. Drink green tea in a timely manner. It is recommended to consume it within 3-6 months after purchasing. Tea oxidase activity is high in spring and early morning, so it is important to pay attention to storage time. Long stored green tea, even if not spoiled, will have a significant decrease in freshness. Freshness can be determined by observing whether the tea color is dark and whether the aroma is dull.

When drinking green tea in daily life, you can choose a special tea can made of ceramic or glass material, and cover it tightly after each tea is taken. When brewing, use a water temperature of around 85 ℃ to avoid high temperatures damaging the active ingredients. Eating citrus fruits in combination can help increase the absorption rate of tea polyphenols, but it is not advisable to consume them with high protein foods to affect iron absorption. Regularly cleaning tea utensils to prevent the accumulation of tea stains can better preserve the original flavor of the tea soup.