Tea processing is a serious art. Each step in the process shapes the type of tea produced and directly impacts its quality. The other day, while flipping through a book on Taiwan tea processing, I noticed something intriguing: packaging was listed as part of the processing steps. Initially, this seemed odd, but as I thought more about it and reflected on what I’ve learned over the years, it began to make perfect sense.

Green oolong, for example, shares similarities with green tea but is distinct—not bitter or grassy, but naturally floral and sweet, sometimes even fruity. This incredible category, one of our best sellers, would not be possible without modern vacuum sealing equipment. These machines play a crucial role by removing air and sealing the tea in airtight bags, minimizing oxygen exposure. Vacuum sealing tea, regardless of tea type, significantly slows the rate of change as it patiently waits to be consumed. Thus, the tea maintains its optimal flavor for months and even years when stored properly.

Before vacuum sealing technology, oolong teas were often heavily oxidized and roasted to develop rich, dark flavors. This intense roasting was necessary to preserve the tea’s character, as there was no reliable way to slow down the oxidation process. While tea doesn't technically spoil, it does change over time. Green oolong, for instance, transforms at a much faster rate than roasted or red oolong. Proper vacuum sealing dramatically slows this rate of change, making it nearly imperceptible even six months after packaging. While there is always a difference between freshly sealed tea and tea that has aged a few years, with quality storage, oolong can improve with age, developing richer flavors around the seven-year mark.

The innovation of these machines made it so green oolongs were a viable option. Without them, the light and bright flavors of these teas would quickly fade into dullness. At J-Tea, we have been vacuum sealing tea since the company began in Taiwan. Starting out, I quickly realized that I needed my own vacuum sealing machine. That was 19 years ago. After nearly two decades of dedicated use, my beloved sealer, “Yaolin,” recently gave out. In a bit of a panic, I disassembled the machine, sent its motherboard to Taiwan for repairs, and realized just how scarce repair options are for vacuum sealers in Eugene, Oregon. Even in Taiwan, fixing Yaolin proved challenging due to its age.

Fortunately, I was able to access my network in Taiwan and arrange for a new, advanced vacuum sealer to be shipped to me. This inconvenience turned out to have a silver lining: the new machine has better features and superior technology. Sometimes, progress isn’t bad—it seals the deal.