Nowadays, the awareness of health is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, more and more people like to drink tea, and even some people will collect tea, however, sometimes the tea is bought too much, and it will be stored at home for a long time if it is not finished.
So, can tea leaves that have been stored for many years still be drinkable? Today, let's take a look at the first thing to see if drinking tea that has been stored for many years will have health effects.
First of all, tea is rich in a variety of nutrients, such as tea polyphenols, catechins, caffeine, etc., which have many benefits for the human body. Secondly, tea has the functions of anti-oxidation, anti-fatigue, digestion, refreshing and refreshing, etc., and also has great benefits for improving human immunity, enhancing physical fitness, and delaying aging.
The tea polyphenols in tea are powerful antioxidants that can scavenge free radicals, delay cell aging, and protect body organs from damage. Catechins can reduce blood lipids and blood pressure, and prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases.
Caffeine can speed up the body's metabolism, eliminate fatigue, improve concentration and alertness. In addition, tea is also rich in trace elements, such as fluorine, selenium, etc., which are also of great benefit to human health.
In addition to its physical health benefits, tea can also help people regulate their mental state. Amino acids, theanine and other components in tea can regulate neurotransmitters in the human body, relieve stress, improve sleep quality, and enhance mental health.
A layer of film appears on the surface of the tea, which often makes people mistakenly think that the tea leaves are not clean. However, this is actually a misconception. This film is not caused by the unclean tea leaves, but by the change in the surface tension of the tea.
When tea leaves are brewed with hot water, some substances in the tea leaves are released into the water, including tea polyphenols, caffeine, amino acids, etc.
These substances form a thin film on the surface of the tea, which is caused by changes in tension on the surface of the tea. After the tea has cooled, this film will become more noticeable.
Some people think that this film is a sign that the tea is not clean, but in fact, this film has nothing to do with how clean the tea is. Whether the tea leaves are clean or not depends on the process of picking, making, and storing the tea leaves, not the membrane on the surface of the tea.
In addition, some people also believe that this film affects the taste and quality of the tea. However, in fact, this film has very little effect on the taste and quality of the tea.
This statement is not entirely true, the aroma and taste of tea can change over time, but this change is not linear, that is, the tea does not become more and more fragrant all the time.
First of all, we want to make it clear that tea is an agricultural product, and its quality and flavor will be affected by a variety of factors, including origin, variety, picking time, production process, and so on.
Different types of tea have different suitable storage times and storage methods, some tea leaves are suitable for short-term storage, and some tea leaves are suitable for long-term storage. Moreover, even for the same type of tea, the quality and flavor will vary greatly under different storage conditions.
Secondly, during the storage of tea, it will be affected by various factors such as oxygen, humidity, and temperature. These factors affect the changes in the chemical composition of the tea, which in turn affects the aroma and taste of the tea.
For example, some tea leaves undergo oxidation reactions during storage, resulting in changes in the color and aroma of the tea leaves; Some tea leaves absorb moisture, causing them to become damp and tasteless.
The black, green, and pu-erh teas at home have been sitting for a few years, which has left many people worried about whether they can still be consumed. For this problem, we need to analyze it specifically according to the type and preservation of tea.
Black tea
Black tea is a fully fermented tea, and its aroma and taste will change during storage. Generally, the shelf life of black tea is 1-3 years. If the tea is stored for about 1 year, its color, aroma and taste will be in a better state.
However, if it is stored for more than 2 years, the aroma of the black tea will gradually weaken, and the soup may become dull. Nevertheless, black tea that has been stored for more than 2 years will taste more mellow and have better foam resistance.
Green tea
Green tea is an unfermented tea leaf, and its freshness is important. In general, freshly made green tea tastes best after sitting for a month or two, and it is best to consume it within a year.
If green tea has a shelf life of more than a year, its quality may start to decline. Normal green tea should have a fresh aroma, and if the tea leaves become soft, sour, or moldy, or the tea soup becomes dull, it means that the tea has gone bad.
Pu-erh tea
The shelf life of Pu'er tea is relatively special, and its best shelf life is about 10 years. The quality and aroma of Pu-erh tea will improve during storage, but this is as long as possible during the shelf life.
If not stored properly, the shelf life of tea leaves may be shortened. Therefore, when preserving Pu'er tea, it is necessary to pay attention to keeping it dry, ventilated, and odor-free.
To sum up, for black tea, green tea, and pu-erh tea that have been left for several years, we need to judge whether they can still be drunk according to their type and preservation.
If the tea leaves are preserved properly and within the shelf life, then they can still maintain a certain quality and taste. However, if the tea has gone bad or has passed its expiration date, it should not be consumed again.
First of all, observe the appearance of the tea leaves, if the tea leaves have become dull yellow, loose or even mildew, then it is likely to have gone bad. Secondly, we can smell the aroma of the tea, if the aroma has disappeared or faded, it means that the tea is not fresh enough.
In addition, it is also very important to taste the taste of the tea, if the taste of the tea becomes bitter or messy, it means that the quality of the tea has declined.
Finally, it is also a good idea to observe the color of the tea leaves, if the soup color becomes dull or cloudy, it means that the tea has gone bad.
In addition to the above aspects, we can also judge whether the tea leaves have deteriorated by observing the bottom of the leaves. If the underside of the leaf has tarnished and has become fluffy, then the tea leaves are most likely spoiled. In addition, if we find that the tea has a peculiar smell or musty smell during storage, it is also a clear sign of tea deterioration.
Choose the right storage container
In general, high-quality tea should be avoided for storage in metal or plastic containers, as these materials may react chemically with the tea leaves and affect the quality of the tea. Instead, it is advisable to use a well-sealed ceramic or glass container.
In addition, some bamboo or paper products that are specifically used to store tea are also good choices, which can not only maintain the original taste of the tea but also increase the aroma of the tea.
The environment in which the tea leaves are stored
Tea leaves should be stored in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated place, away from direct sunlight and high temperatures. Excessive temperature and light will accelerate the aging of tea leaves, affecting their taste and quality. At the same time, in order to avoid the absorption of odors by tea, you should also stay away from kitchens, bathrooms and other places with odors.
How the tea is packed
Tea leaves in bulk are susceptible to air, humidity, and odors, so it is recommended to divide the tea leaves into small packages and use only the right amount at a time. This not only preserves the freshness of the tea, but also avoids moisture or flavor absorption due to frequent opening of large packages.
Different types of tea have different storage requirements
For example, green tea should be avoided for long periods of time and is best consumed in a short period of time; Tea leaves with a higher degree of fermentation, such as Pu-erh tea and black tea, can be stored for a long time, and their quality and value will gradually improve over time. Therefore, when storing tea, it should be sorted according to its type and characteristics.