Jade Dragon at City of Dreams, recently awarded its first Michelin Star, not only offers delectable Cantonese cuisine, but also its exquisite Chinese tea offerings.
“We offer various types of tea no matter which season, and tea storage plays a key role,” says Shirley Su, the tea master of Jade Dragon. “We pay a great deal of attention to storage management.”
Green tea, like Tieguanyin, may taste good in spring, but if you don’t store it properly, the tea will become yellowish in winter and it will lose all its fragrance and freshness, Shirley notes.
According to the tea master, storage conditions make a huge difference in the shelf life of your tea, and it is important manage light, heat, moisture, odours and air quality.
“Don’t buy clear tea in glass or plastic containers or place it under the sun or near heat sources, like stoves and ovens. Light and heat degrade your tea quickly,” she says. “Also, don’t expose your tea to moisture, and store it far away from anything with a strong odour. Tea absorbs odour and water from the air easily.”
“So never store your tea near a spice cabinet or trashcan, or place it in humid area, like above a dishwasher or in a refrigerator. A tight seal is the key. If the container can hold water, it can protect tea,” Shirley says.
“These are some easy tea storage tips that keep your tea fresh and delicious. Most local restaurant don’t care about these details, but we do, and it is worthwhile,” Shirley says.
As to how many times tea can be re-brewed, Shirley explains that it depends on the type of tea. If tea leaves are picked when they are still young, the taste of the tea will be gone after it has been brewed four to five times, she notes.
“Unless the tea is highly fermented such as a Pu-erh tea, or a resistant tea such as Oolong tea, which can be re-brewed up to ten times,” Shirley says. “This tea still tastes vibrant and its texture has layers.”
