There are lots of reasons to drink loose leaf tea. Not only does it have a better flavor, but it also has health benefits that range from preventing certain cancers to lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
In order to reap all of these benefits, though, you must make sure you’re storing your tea properly. Read on to learn what you should do to keep your tea as fresh as possible.
Get The Right Container
The first step to storing your loose leaf tea properly is to make sure you have the right container.
A seal-able stainless steal container is best for freshness since it blocks sunlight. Sunlight degrades tea and makes it less flavorful.
If you don’t have this type of container, a colored glass container can also work. Colored glass, like stainless steel, will help keep your tea from being exposed to light.
When you’re in a bind and don’t have either of the containers discussed above, a paper bag can work as a temporary storage container. You shouldn’t leave the tea in a paper bag for longer than a couple of months, but it’s a good temporary solution.
No matter what you use to store your tea, make sure it is airtight. The less exposure your tea has to outside air, the longer it will stay fresh.
Keep It In The Right Place
In addition to storing it in the right container, you also need to make sure you’re keeping your tea in the right place.
Loose leaf tea will stay fresh longer when it is stored at room temperature. Fluctuations can damage tea leaves, so you’ll want to make sure the temperature in the room where you store it is stable. Keep your tea away from heaters, air conditioners, and windows as well.
It’s best to keep your tea stored in a dark place, like a kitchen cabinet or pantry.
You should also make sure your tea is stored away from water, as humidity adversely affects tea and can cause it grow mold. Don’t keep it near or in the fridge, and avoid keeping it around sink or areas where you boil water.
Mistakes To Avoid
There are a few other rules you should keep in mind when it comes to storing your tea:
- Keep tea and spices separate. Storing tea near spices can actually affect its taste since tea leaves very easily absorb other aromas.
- Keep strong and mild aroma teas separate. Mild aroma teas like white tea will also absorb the aromas from stronger teas like pu-erh, so it’s best to keep them separate from each other.
- Do not use a plastic container. Your tea will be more vulnerable to light in a plastic container. Plastic will also absorb other odors that can affect the taste of your tea.
Learn More About Loose Leaf Tea
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