Hello everyone,
I'm Andy, a tea enthusiast.Vacuum aluminum foil bags are one of the primary containers used for storing Taiwanese tea.
Why Use Vacuum Aluminum Foil Bags?
Oxygen, light, and moisture are the main factors that degrade tea quality.
Using vacuum aluminum foil bags effectively blocks light, moisture, and oxygen.
Types of Vacuum Aluminum Foil Bags
Vacuum aluminum foil bags are multilayered materials, meaning they are composed of different materials laminated together.
The most common type has a three-layer structure:
- The inner and outer layers are plastic.
- The middle layer is aluminum foil.
This type is commonly known as a "pure aluminum foil bag."
The aluminum foil thickness is 7-9 µm.
Another type is made using vacuum metallization technology,
which forms an ultra-thin aluminum layer—only a fraction of the thickness of real aluminum foil.
- The inner and outer layers are plastic.
- The middle layer consists of vacuum-metallized aluminum.
This type is called a "metallized aluminum foil bag."
The aluminum foil thickness is approximately 0.02-0.05 µm.
A third type is pharmaceutical-grade aluminum foil, with a thickness of up to 60 µm.
Additionally, aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) bags are widely used in the food industry.
They do not contain an aluminum foil layer but provide excellent oxygen and moisture barrier properties.
How to Identify Different Types of Vacuum Aluminum Foil Bags?
You can use a flashlight:
- If light passes through, it is a metallized aluminum foil bag.
- If light does not pass through, it is a pure aluminum foil bag.
Is It Necessary to Use Vacuum Aluminum Foil Bags for Tea Storage?
Not necessarily.
If you have an airtight, light-blocking container,
or if the tea is well-fermented and roasted, using a regular bag is sufficient.
Are Thicker Vacuum Aluminum Foil Bags Better?
Not always.
There is no "best" vacuum aluminum foil bag, only the most suitable one.
If the foil is too thick, the improvement in preservation may not justify the increased cost, leading to waste.
Additionally, thicker foil is less flexible and more prone to tearing.
Precautions When Storing Tea in Vacuum Aluminum Foil Bags
- When cutting open a vacuum aluminum foil bag, discard the oxygen absorber inside.
- After taking out tea leaves, squeeze out excess air and seal the bag with a clip to prevent oxygen and moisture from entering.
Disadvantages of Vacuum Aluminum Foil Bags
The biggest drawback is that they cannot be recycled.
Comparison of Vacuum Aluminum Foil Bag Types
| Feature | Pure Aluminum Foil Bag | Metallized Aluminum Foil Bag (VMPET/VMOPP) | Al₂O₃ Bag |
| Transparency | ✖ Completely opaque | ✖ Metallic luster, non-transparent | ✔ Transparent |
| Oxygen Barrier | ♚ Excellent (100% barrier) | ★ Moderate | ★★★ High (close to aluminum foil)） |
| Moisture Barrier | ♚ Excellent (completely moisture-proof) | ★ Moderate (partially moisture-proof) | ★★★ High (close to aluminum foil) |
| Light Blocking | ♚ 100% light-proof | ★★ Moderate (partially blocks light) | ★ Low (transparent, but can be improved) |
| Fold Resistance | ✖ Prone to creases, affecting appearance | ✖ Coating may peel off, reducing barrier properties | ✔Excellent, does not peel easily |
| Heat Resistance | ✔ High (can be sterilized at 121°C) | ✖ Moderate (heat resistance ~80-100° | ✔ High (can be sterilized at 121°C) |
| Weight | ✖ Heavy | ✔ Light | ✔ Light |
| Printability | ✖ Poor printability (requires lamination) | ✔ Printable, good metallic gloss effect | ✔ Transparent and printable |
| Cost | ✖ Higher (more aluminum content) | ✔ Low (less aluminum content) | ★★★ Medium(less aluminum content, but higher technical cost) |
| Suitable for Short-Term Storage | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Suitable for Long-Term Storage | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ |
Hope this information helps! See you next time.
hashtag: # yoshantea #taiwantea #dongdingtea #oolongtea #vacuumfoilbag #teastorage #FSSC22000 #safetea
