How to Store Tea
Storing your tea properly is important for its preservation, quality and flavor. You can buy special containers, tins, even whole pieces of furniture designed to store tea. So, what is best?
Tea needs to be protected from light, air, moisture, and odors. For this, an airtight opaque container is perfect. A container that is not air tight will allow the tea to go prematurely stale. Also, the tea should not be exposed to excessive humidity or heat, as these can degrade the quality as well.
If your container is not opaque, then you should store it in a cupboard or other dark place to protect the tea from light.
Many teas are now sold in metal tins, which are perfect for storing the tea. When purchasing tea in a bag or box, it should be removed and placed into an opaque airtight container as soon as it is opened.
I recommend that each tea variety have its own container. Teas will pick up flavors and odors that remain in a previously used container. For this reason the tea should also be stored away from other ingredients such as spices that have strong odors. No one enjoys a curry flavored cup of tea.
While it is necessary to store your tea in a cool place, the refrigerator is not a good place. Just like bread, tea will go stale quicker in the refrigerator than at room temperature, and it can be damaged by the condensation and humidity.
If you have purchased a large quantity of tea, you can store the excess in the freezer for the long term, removing tea periodically for normal usage. Tea stored in the freezer should be tightly sealed and wrapped. When more tea is needed, let the container come to room temperature before opening. This will protect the tea from condensation and room humidity, although you might prefer to open the container only on a dry day.
There are many containers for tea storage. Modern tins and lock seal containers are ideal, but perhaps you prefer a more antique container for your tea. When looking at antiques, you will discover an artful array of possible containers. In fact, you can even purchase whole pieces of furniture whose purpose was to hold the tea and its utensils. When using an antique container, place the tea into a sealable plastic bag, or its original sealable wrapping, then into the container.
Except for Puerh tea, an aged tea of the Yunnan province, all teas should be consumed soon after purchase. Choose a dealer who has a high turnover of tea, so that you know it has not been sitting on the shelf for too long. Green teas go stale very quickly and Oolong teas will keep for 2 - 4 months if stored properly (see below). Black tea will keep much longer, for a year or more. The shelf life is very dependent on storage conditions, however, with properly stored teas retaining freshness longer is stored unopened in a cool dark place.
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