1 comment ·Mar 01, 2017

The Best Ways To Store Tea

Image Desc: Thinking about using a glass canister or just leaving your tea sitting around? Keep reading to see why that may be a bad idea…..

Once you’ve taken the time and energy to get the right teapot, learn the correct temperature to steep your tea, and then go out of your way to find the best teas possible, you don’t want to risk them spoiling sooner than usual! The fact is that even the best tea brands are susceptible to oxidation, moisture, odor, and heat. Storing tea can be very simple without considering all the complexities these factors bring to figuring out how to store tea. However, in this article we’re going to explain why you need to take the time to find a dark, cool place where your tea will not have its purities tampered by the factors we just mentioned.

The Less Contact With Oxygen The Better

Image Desc: This is not what you want your tea to look like! Keep reading to see how to avoid this.

Some people will go as far as buying airtight containers to keep their tea leaves, but it really depends on how far you want to go on preserving the purity. Tea leaves are really sensitive to the elements and minerals that can be absorbed from the air and even from residue in your teapot. It’s also susceptible to any lingering odors from your trash, refrigerator, and spice cabinet. The manufacturers of your teas go through a lot of effort to preserve it through vacuum sealing and even use oxygen absorbing packets. Oxygen will break down the leaves in a similar way that rust does to some metals. So if you spend money on having teas shipped to you internationally, or you only want the best teas in specialty stores, you want to prevent oxidation!

What Type Of Container To Use

Image Desc: We agree! And this is what happens when you don’t use such a container….

A lot of sites will tell you not to use clear plastic bags to store your leftover loose leaves in, but it’s okay as long as you have a container where no light get through. So even though you’ve probably seen all sorts of glass canisters stacked on shelves in some stores, it’s not a good idea, and here’s why. Light will help break down the leaves from their pure state, and thus lose some of the flavors and aromas that come with brewing it. Instead, you should use the standard tin or stainless steel containers. Another helpful tip is to keep these containers full so that it’ll keep out as much oxygen as possible (remember oxidization?).

Lastly, Avoid Heat & Moisture Too

By now you’re probably ready to just get off your computer and get the first tea tin that you set your eyes on! These last two factors are just as important to understand, and your tea is only going to last longer if you take this under consideration. If you leave your tea near a heat source like your stove, microwave, or even the kettle you boil your water in, it could degrade the tea to a metallic sort of taste. Plus it’ll bring about more moisture that can further damage the leaves. Moisture that’s gotten onto your tea will only further risk it absorbing the qualities of the air, spice rack, or oxygen your leaves will come into contact with. Tea that tastes like garlic powder will probably not be very appetizing! Don’t let your collection of teas get ruined! Get an appropriate canister, learn how to properly brew your tea, and start enjoy the brain boosts that come from drinking more tea.

1 comment

Rinisha Dutt Sep 02, 2021

tea lover 4eva!!