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5 Eco-Friendly Methods for Tea Storage
Proper tea storage is essential for preserving its quality and ensuring it remains flavorful over time. Unlike other teas, Chinese Puerh tea can be stored for decades and even improves with age, developing richer, more complex flavors—known as “the older, the better.” You can think of Puerh to be similar to fine wines aging over time. Many people in the world seek out the vintage puerh’s for their distinct tastes.
However, do it wrong and improper tea storage can lead to ruined tea that’s unfit for consumption. Many people rely on non eco-friendly tea storage methods like plastic bags or plastic containers for tea storage, which are not only harmful to the environment but can also affect the tea’s flavor. Here, we introduce five eco-friendly methods for storing your tea sustainably and effectively.
General Requirements for Tea Storage
To store Puerh tea successfully, certain conditions must be maintained:
- Humidity: High humidity can lead to mold. Keep the room’s humidity below 60%. If humidity is high, consider sealed storage. Your hygrometer reading should be somewhere in the range of (55-60% RH). If the air is too dry then aging stops; too wet, and mold grows!
- Light Exposure: Excessive light exposure can cause the tea’s natural compounds to degrade. Store tea in a dark or low-light environment. Keep it cool, stable, and dark.
- Temperature: High temperatures can diminish the amino acids in tea. Aim to keep the storage area below 30°C (86°F).
- Oxygen Levels: Tea requires slow oxidation to mature. Create a sealed micro-environment while allowing general ventilation.
- Odors: Puerh absorbs smells like a sponge which means the tea easily absorbs surrounding odors. Avoid storing tea near strong-smelling areas like kitchens or smoking zones. Avoid storing it near spices or strong smelling foods.
5 Eco-Friendly Methods for Tea Storage
1.Bamboo Shells
Bamboo shells are a traditional and eco-friendly option for tea storage. These shells are often included when you purchase 5 of 200g tea cakes together or 7 of 375g tea cakes together and it can effectively protect your tea from moisture. They work best in drier regions and seasons, facilitating optimal tea aging. However, during extremely humid periods (over 90% humidity), it’s better to use more airtight solutions.
2.Paper Boxes
Cardboard or paper boxes are another sustainable eco-friendly tea storage option. They are easy to find and suitable for regions with low humidity. However, in humid environments, they may not offer sufficient protection against moisture.
4.Porcelain Jars
Porcelain jars combine functionality and aesthetics. They provide an excellent seal to protect tea while also serving as elegant decor and eco-friendly. Porcelain jars are versatile and can store tea in various humidity levels effectively. Plus they’re very beautiful to display and impress your guests! The history of porcelain jars also goes back to the Qing Dynasty and European Trade!
5. Zisha Clay Jars
Zisha clay jars are a superior choice for storing larger quantities of tea. The porous structure of Zisha allows air circulation while preventing excessive moisture absorption. This creates an ideal micro-environment for tea storage, helping the tea age gracefully.
Final Thoughts
Storing tea in eco-friendly ways not only helps preserve its taste and aroma but also supports sustainable living. Whether you choose bamboo shells, paper boxes, tin cans, porcelain jars, or Zisha clay jars, each method offers unique benefits to cater to your tea storage needs. With proper care, your tea will remain fresh and flavorful, allowing you to enjoy its rich taste for years to come.
Explore our Puerh tea collection and receive your free eco-friendly storage tin box today!
Very good storage tips! Such care in the tea creation from the tea tree to table, so storage for longevity of the tea is obviously just as important.
You’re right Brian, it is crucial that people take the proper care to store their teas. If done right, the ripe and raw puerh’s (i.e. Tea Spirit, Beeking) can become completely different teas over time, evolving their flavor profiles to become more enhanced and complex, developing different flavors, like aged wine or whiskey. First we have to make sure mold doesn’t get in. Thank you for your feedback tea friend!