How to store tea properly?

How to properly store tea so that it retains its flavor and aroma for as long as possible?
Here are some general recommendations that will help keep tea leaves fresh, flavorful and aromatic for a long time.

1 - No foreign odors near the tea. Dry tea leaves perfectly absorb the smell of spices, coffee, incense, oils, etc., so it is important to identify a place for tea where these smells will not penetrate. Let it be a kitchen cabinet where only tea and tea utensils are stored.

2 Closed packaging. It will help protect the tea not only from foreign odors, excess moisture and air, but also preserve the freshness of the tea leaves. Use glass or tin jars with tightly sealed lids, or string bags in which tea is sold: after pouring in the required amount of tea leaves, squeeze excess air out of the bag and close it tightly.

• If you use a tin container to store your tea for a long time, we recommend putting your tea in a jar in a paper bag. Over time, the jar material can oxidize, which will affect the tea leaf, its flavor and aroma. Our favorite for long-term storage are ceramic tea pots with a tight, ground lid.
• Shu Pu Erh should not be stored in airtight containers. Wet tea leaves placed in a plastic container will quickly go moldy. Store shu in its original packaging or paper bag - the packaging material will not interfere with the maturation of the tea.

 

3. cool air and no temperature changes. It is recommended to store tea in any container, in a cool place, at a temperature of no more than 25 degrees. At high temperatures, tea heats up, releases essential oils, becomes damp and molds. We don't need this.

• Some tea lovers store their tea in the refrigerator. This storage location may be suitable for poorly fermented and fresh varieties and only in vacuum bags. Tea should reach room temperature before use. If you drink tea regularly and prefer dark varieties, storage at room temperature will be optimal.

 

4 - No sunlight! It affects tea leaves badly, so either store tea in opaque jars or hide tea bags and transparent tea packets in a dark place.

5 Monitor the shelf life of the tea. Of course, if you observe storage conditions, the tea will be fine, but a leaf that has been lying in the attic for several years will produce colored water devoid of flavor and aroma after brewing. Try to drink tea within a year of purchase, and even better, buy it more often and in small batches. This will ensure that your tea will always be fresh.