TEA STORAGE: Reviewing the best kinds of tea containers

[@nannuoshan]

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[@i.m.m5846]

It is very, very interesting. Thank you !

[@jang.1185]

Hello , Jin Mudan is perfect. I got familiar with lighter Yan Cha only half year ago. Thank you for this video. I had doubts about the glass jars and I was thinking as you are talking - if put in the dark, then it is OK. However I have experience with that metal containers. Unfortunately I found out that these (or at least some of these) are not airtight, because there can be a gap in the joints - mostly on the bottom. I poured water inside and it was dripping so now I like more ordinary glass jars (but mostly I am using that closable bags). And now I am thinking about that porcelain jars... I look forward to the next video (I am really interested in it, because I have about 180g of sheng pu erh that I need to age, because it is too strong at the moment).

[@nannuoshan]

Thanks for sharing, Jan! You are right, even if those kind of metallic containers are supposed to be airtight, if manufacturing tolerances are not tight enough, you might get a loose lid and, consequently, air steadily entering the container... which is not bad for all teas, but certainly is for keeping freshness.

[@i.m.m5846]

So, wich is the better waly for good green or white tea, for you ?

[@nannuoshan]

I would store good green tea in the fridge, so in a well sealed bag or compartment. Zip-bags would do. As for white tea, since it ages well, there is no need to store it in a very sealed box. I would say that the container doesnt play a big role for white tea.

[@i.m.m5846]

For green tesa, wich is better ?

[@SeaHearts1]

what about clay containers? Also how does humidity affect tea and aging?

[@nannuoshan]

For clay containers, similar considerations as for unglated ceramics (see video at approx. 12 min. from start). For the effect of ageing... please wait for the relevant video which is in the pipeline. This video was about "How to preserve the freshness and fragrance of tea." For ageing different considerations apply and we will do a dedicated video on that.

[@zhubajie6940]

Look forward to your ideas on greens and yellow tea containers. Whites seem to be able to use most in this video.

[@nannuoshan]

I am preparing a few videos on the topics and I will include those in the following batch. THis video is mainly for Oolong suitable for ageing, white tea, and most black tea.

[@midnightdreams8136]

How about a container with the screw-on lid? I think those would be still acceptable? I'm not sure if they are air tight.

[@nannuoshan]

Usually, screw-on lid is airtight. It may not be if the thread is "loose." But in most cases would work perfectly.

[@gediminaskontrimas7992]

Useful video. Thanks.

[@chocalatekid8024]

Tea addict!

[@MichaelMastin]

Have you used Airscape ceramic containers?

[@nannuoshan]

Similar once, not from the Airscape brand, but working on the same sealing principle. They are definitely a good option for storing tea.

[@spektaloza]

Thanks for this video. A few questions : 1) What about wood / lacquered wood containers (they are used in Japan) ? 2) Why are porcelain containers not best suited for green tea ? Which type is ? 3) So in the end, papers bags with aluminium are good even for long term keep at you can change the size? 4) When your quantity of one tea diminishes, do you change the container ? THANKS !!

[@nannuoshan]

Thanks a lot for the questions Lozax! 1) To preserve freshness and not affect the taste of the leaves, wood is good only if it is coated (or lacquered) and the coating has no odors. 2) The main reason is because porcelain containers are not perfectly sealed; even those with conical lid have some level of irregularity in the shape of the lid and opening that allows a little air exchange. Order types of softer materials deformes and seal better. Also, porcelain jars tends to be much larger than the tea they contain, which leaves room for air. 3) For a few years, coated paper bags are fine. For ageing, they are not. Paper deteriorates after many years. 4) I personally do not. The main reasons are: 1) I don't have time to change containers so often (I have many teas). 2) I don't have enough containers of many different sizes... but nothing speaks against it, as long as it is for keeping freshness. For ageing, I would not advise to change the container as, depending on its material, it's contribution to the agein may improve with time; think at a clay material that, over the years, absorbe a little of the fragrance of the tea.

[@Newsnent]

How to dry and store tea leaves between infusions?

[@nannuoshan]

Hi Karan, generally speaking, it is not advisable to store leaves between infusions. It has a negative impact on taste, especially for fresh teas, like green teas. For some teas, like Pu'er, it is not a great impact and you can leave the leaves for some time between infusion, no need to dry them. You can even leave the leaves in the gaiwan up to next day, but in this case I would cover the teapot / gaiwan to prevent air exchange and put them in the fridge.

[@Newsnent]

@@nannuoshan thanks I was asking for white tea so what time interval max good between infusions

[@nannuoshan]

@@Newsnent For fresh white tea, I would not leave more than few minutes between infusion. The older the tea, the more forgiving it will be. An aged white tea can be kept overnight, although you will probably notice a reduction in taste.

[@ize1000009]

So what do you do with whole pu'er cakes, or one tong, for example?

[@nannuoshan]

I will do a video on Pu'er storage so, please, wait a little for more details on this. Just speaking about container: There are also containers for whole cakes; those that I have seen more often are made of wood, rattan or bamboo. Some people store their cakes in there.