In present study, the common qualitative and quantitative methods for plant polyphenols were reviewed, which could provide technology and experimental supports for its resource utilization in food packaging and storage. Based on the principle, procedure, application, advantages and disadvantages, the paper chromatography, thin layer chromatography, chromogenic method and other qualitative methods were reviewed. Meanwhile, the choice about the quantitative methods and standard compounds in determination were also introduced. The principle and complexity for all the qualitative and quantitative methods were different, and their testing results were also different, which both possessed advantages and disadvantages. Commonly, several methods should be used in quantitative determination for the same sample, so as to obtain the detailed information of plant polyphenols. In addition, some pure phenolic compounds as the plant polyphenols in sample were usually used as the standard. Therefore, researchers should design the analytical schemes by using several methods, which can reflect the type and content of plant polyphenols.