Does Tieguanyin tea have a shelf life?

Tieguanyin is a very common type of tea. When brewing, the color of this tea is very clear, and it tastes bitter with a hint of sweetness, which makes people feel endless aftertaste. However, many people are not so proficient in the storage of Tieguanyin tea, and it is very likely that the Tieguanyin itself will get damp, which will cause it to deteriorate, and the shelf life is generally about one year.

There are five factors that affect the quality of tea: moisture, temperature, air, light, and odor. Generally, low temperature and sealed vacuum are required, so that the color, aroma and taste of Tieguanyin can be guaranteed in a short time. However, in actual storage, it often happens that although the tea is not stored for a long time, the color, aroma and taste are not as good as when it is first brewed. The reason lies in the degree of drying of the tea after fermentation.

1. Among the modern storage methods, the best ones are:

Vacuum nitrogen storage method

The air is replaced by nitrogen in a sealed container so that the tea leaves are stored under oxygen-free conditions. The specific method is: first put the dried tea leaves into a tea can or aluminum foil bag with a rolled lid, then remove the air, fill in pure nitrogen, and finally seal it. Storing tea in a nitrogen-filled container can prevent the tea contents from nitrogenizing and deteriorating. At room temperature, the quality can generally be maintained unchanged within one year. The effect will be better if it can be stored at low temperature.

Low temperature storage method

It is to prevent the tea leaves from oxidation and deterioration under low temperature conditions. The specific steps are: first put the dried tea leaves (the water content of the tea leaves is less than 5%) into a well-sealed container and store it at a low temperature below 3 degrees Celsius. To store large quantities of tea, a special cold storage must be built to prevent moisture and insulate heat, and the relative humidity of the air in the storage should be maintained at around 50%.

2. For drinking a small amount of tea at home, we usually take:

Canning

It is best to use a tin can or a double-lidded iron can. Wrap the tea leaves in paper or put them directly into the can. Shake it as tightly as possible to fill it fully without leaving any gaps. Reduce the amount of air in the can to help maintain the quality of the tea. After installation, put on the double-layer cover and seal the seams tightly with tape. Put two layers of nylon bags outside the can and tie the bag tightly. The effect will be better if the canned tea is stored in a refrigerator or dryer.

Nylon bag storage and other simple methods

When storing in nylon bags, choose non-toxic, odorless and well-sealed nylon bags. First wrap the tea leaves with clean white paper, then put them into the bag, squeeze gently to let the air out of the bag, tie the bag tightly, then take a nylon bag and put it over the tea bag, tie the bag tightly after venting, and store it in a dry, odorless iron cylinder.