Have you ever wondered how long those expensive tea leaves you bought will last? It depends on how you store them. This article will enlighten you on what should be done and what should be avoided to keep the tea over time.
Steps
Step 1. Keep the tea cool, away from heat, light and humidity
Each in fact causes it to deteriorate, making it stale.
Step 2. Buy loose tea in a trusted store. Whoever sells it to you should know its origins, the quality of the tea it sells, and the continuous change should be highlighted by the sometimes empty shelves as well as the special sales around the expiration date.
Step 3. Place the leaves in a non-plastic, opaque container
Use a tin or aluminum one. Plastic tends to transfer odors and spoil the taste of the tea. It should also have an airtight seal; if not, place it in a resealable bag but pay attention to any smell if it is plastic.
After use, close or seal the container tightly each time. This way you will be sure that the tea retains its freshness, taste and aroma
Step 4. Place it in a dry, cool and dark place
Light and humidity are two sworn enemies of tea because they would activate the enzymes that contribute to its decomposition.
- The perfect place to arrange tea is a pantry that has a light switch and a constant temperature without climatic interference. A wall unit in the kitchen works just as well.
- Never place it on top of the gas stove instead; heat and humidity would warm it.
- Do not place the tea in the refrigerator or freezer.
Step 5. Keep flavored tea separate from pure or varietal tea
Otherwise, the flavored one will transfer the aroma to the others it is in contact with.
- Blended teas can have an overwhelming taste. Test them first by sniffing them.
- It is a good idea to keep the smoked ones separate as well; they possess an acquired taste.
Step 6. Finished
Advice
- Make sure you seal the bag tightly or reseal the jar each time you use it.
- The leaves used can go in the freezer until the following day but must be used immediately.
- Buy small amounts of tea and drink them within a certain time to keep them fresh.
- If the tea is kept properly, it can last up to a year, especially green and black tea. The white one lasts about six months before losing quality and freshness. Poor quality or stale tea will taste flat, as if you are drinking paper.
- Glass or ceramic containers are fine as long as they are opaque.
Warnings
- Never put tea in the garage where it would be exposed to light and humidity which would spoil it.
- Never buy tea sold in transparent jars. You can't know how long it's been in there and on that shelf.
