Hello World! Welcome Friends! Tea is a common beverage in daily life that everyone is familiar with. But do you know the difference between new tea and aged tea? Which one is better, new tea or aged tea?
In fact, in tea culture, people generally have different preferences and appreciation methods for new tea and aged tea. Some tea varieties are suitable for fresh consumption to maintain their fresh aroma and flavor, while others are suitable for aging to develop unique matured flavors. Understanding the knowledge of new tea and aged tea can help you better choose high-quality loose leaf tea.
What Do New Tea and Aged Tea Refer To?
New Tea (Around 1 Year)
Tea that is within a year is usually considered new tea. Tea types like green tea, which are unoxidized, are often prized as new tea. However, just-made green tea, due to its strong cooling nature, is not suitable for excessive consumption and is better be stored for a while before consumption.
Aged Tea (3 Years and Above)
Tea that has been stored for more than 3 years falls into the category of aged tea. The purpose of aging tea is to transform its style, creating a distinct flavor associated with matured tea. Aged tea is particularly favored in the case of post-fermented teas like black tea.
“Rejuvenated” Tea
“Rejuvenated tea” is not an academic term in the realm of tea; rather, it’s a marketing concept. It refers to tea (mainly green tea) that has been stored for a certain period and then processed in a way that makes consumers believe it’s new tea. This is done to expand sales and increase profits. To make aged tea appear as new tea, counterfeiters can only achieve a convincing effect in terms of color and aroma by artificially adding non-tea substances.
Four Ways to Distinguish New Tea from Aged Tea
Color
The most noticeable change in tea color comes from chlorophyll. New tea exhibits a vibrant and glossy appearance, while aged tea develops a subdued, ash-grayish hue due to the slow decomposition of certain pigments as influenced by moisture, oxygen, and light during storage.
Flavor
New tea offers a refreshing taste, while aged tea is mellow and deep. During storage, oxidation and polymerization reactions occur in compounds like polyphenols, amino acids, caffeine, sugars, and vitamins – leading to the formation of insoluble complexes. This reduces the solubility of the active components in the tea infusion, transforming the taste from fresh and brisk to rich and mellow. Additionally, automatic oxidation of amino acids and polyphenols leads to the formation of dark-colored polymers, diminishing the freshness and resulting in a “stagnant” flavor.
Aroma
Aromatic compounds in tea contribute to its volatile fragrance. The longer tea is stored, the more its aroma diminishes, and the aged notes become more prominent. Particularly, the loss of the fresh aroma in new tea becomes more evident. The aromatic profile shifts from the initial fresh and fragrant notes to deeper and more muted tones.
Moisture Content
A simple way to distinguish between new and aged tea is to gently pinch the leaves. New tea has lower moisture content, around 7% under normal conditions, leading to loose and crisp tea leaves that easily turn into powder upon a gentle pinch. Aged tea, due to prolonged humidity absorption, generally has higher moisture content, resulting in soft and heavy tea leaves that do not turn into powder when pinched and the tea stems are less brittle.
Storage Methods
Tea types like green tea, which are prized for being fresh, are best consumed within a certain timeframe and are not suitable for prolonged storage.
For aged tea, avoid refrigeration and vacuum packaging during storage. Fermented teas continue to naturally ferment during storage, developing the sought-after aged aroma. Ensure proper moisture protection (as moisture can lead to deterioration) and light avoidance (strong light can cause flavor loss).
Where to Buy High-Quality Loose Leaf Tea?
As a tea brand deeply rooted in China for over a decade, iTeaworld aims to be the preferred platform for newcomers to discover Chinese tea. iTeaworld focuses on consumers less familiar with Chinese tea and culture, providing services to identify and purchase Chinese tea. They have initially introduced collections of black tea and oolong tea, allowing consumers to efficiently and affordably explore and compare different tea categories. Additionally, iTeaworld offers an uncommon unconditional refund service. iTeaworld is actively engaged in sustainable practices, including promoting traditional tea cultivation methods, preserving tea plant diversity, and traditional handmade tea craftsmanship. Choosing iTeaworld, savor the beauty of nature and explore the path of harmony.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
End of Summer Home Maintenance Checklist
James Sanson’s Top Tips for First-Time Homebuyers
Tips For Your Next Kitchen Remodeling Project
Shingle Roofing: A Timeless Blend of Style and Durability
10 Compelling Reasons to Revamp Your Basement
Tired of Being a Tenant? Here’s How to Change Your Situation
I’d love for you to join my email list! You’ll receive a notification straight to your inbox which will include links to my latest home project posts! Simply enter your address below.
Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day/night depending on where you are in the world! Go with God and remember to be kind to one another!
Toodles,
[…] How Much Do You Know About New Tea and Aged Tea? […]