elena-z said

Jet lagged tea

I’ve heard multiple times now that some people let their tea “rest” upon receiving a package. Basically they don’t drink it right away, but let it sit (in original packaging?) for a while.
I think I might’ve experienced that too, like I would taste a tea the evening I received a package and not think much of it. And then I’ll taste it after a week, and it’s WOW! But I used to blame myself, I thought that maybe I had an off day or just ate a bunch of kimchee and couldn’t taste anything.

So is there such a thing as jet lagged tea? Any scientific explanation behind it?

8 Replies
mrmopar said

Temperature and humidity change. Tea especially puerh is affected this way. No scientific findings that I know but the tea is always better when rested after its journey.

AllanK said

I generally let the tea rest too but have sometimes tried right away to good results. One tea in particular I remember trying right away and loving. When I tried it again a week later it was not as good. So sometimes results will be mixed.

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@mrmopar is more confident about the reasons than I am: I don’t know if temperature and humidity have anything to do with it. But I have learned, at least with puer, to open the sample bags and let them sit for a couple of weeks before tasting. It does seem to make a difference.

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So glad we are talking about this… makes a huge difference when we allow the pu-erhs acclimate to their new home!

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elena-z said

Thank you all for your replies!

What are the specifics though? How long do you let your tea rest? Do you take the degree of change into consideration? Like, does it make a difference if your tea came from Malaysia or Minnesota? What if it’s not puer, but oolong in a bag, does it still need some rest?

Sorry if I have too many questions.

AllanK said

When you buy from within the USA I think it’s less critical to let the tea rest. However, I usually don’t get to the tea right away anyway so it usually gets to rest a while.

If coming form wet stored conditions like Malaysia, HK, Taiwan, Banna or Guangzhou it takes longer to stabilize. In fact… when we send Pu-erh tea that was stored in those areas to our customers we will use silica packs to absorb moisture it gives off during the journey. Once Pu-erh (stored in any condition) arrives it should be immediately opened and removed from plastic and bubble wrap and allowed to breathe. Oolongs are considered to be stable and should not need much if any acclimatizing. They should be kept sealed. Anxi Jade Oolongs (like Tie Guan Yin) if not roasted and still vacuum sealed can be stored in the freezer. Wu Yi Rock Oolongs room temperature but sealed. I like to let those breathe for 10-20 minutes right before drinking.

elena-z said

Thank you Scott! This is very valuable info!

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