A good tea is primarily graded by symphony of elements like appearance, aroma, flavor and infusion. All these elements are taken care of while evaluating the worth of the teas. So it becomes quite apparent that proper storage of the teas is equivalently important, as teas are likely prone to lose their characteristics in due course of time if not well stored and preserved.
A tea which fetched a high price in auctions may become of no value if not stored properly and lose its awe.
In our article today we will share with you the enemies of tea and how one can get rid of them without taking toll on the freshness and quality of the teas. We at The Tea Address give value to the proper packaging and storing of our exclusive collection of teas. We pack our teas right at the source in good and sustainable packaging . We know how it feels when you get that cuppa of freshness and we highly revere this. Our customer satisfaction is of paramount importance to us. So let us share with you some tips and guidelines which should be taken care so that the quality of your much appreciated teas doesn’t deteriorates.
Sometimes we have seen that though we pack the teas properly and ship them , but once the packet or tin is opened by the customer and if that customer fails to store the teas properly and in due course of time the teas become stale then we are thought to be responsible for this. So my friends, it’s very important to store your teas properly and enjoy them as you have paid your hard earned money to buy them.
Ok, ok let me share the tips now… seems I m exaggerating the topic too much😄.
So basically the key lies in shielding your tea from its enemies which are—air, light, moisture and odors.
These enemies if not taken care of can ruin the freshness, aroma and flavor of your teas which make every tea unique.
PROTECT FROM MOISTURE :
Moisture plays a detrimental role in keeping quality of teas. Tea leaves easily absorb moisture which results in detoriation in their quality. Moisture or humidity can develop undesirable characteristics in the tea like mold growth affecting both the flavor and safety of the teas.
So it’s very important to keep the teas away from moisture in a dry environment so that the tea doesn’t lose its flavor, aroma and crispiness. Proper environment can help to increase the shelf life of the teas for upto 2 to 3 years.
PROTECT FROM LIGHT AND KEEP IT DARK :
Not a dark secret though a very important advice. Exposing the teas to direct or indirect sunlight or UV rays tend to degrade the quality of the teas. For this try to store your teas in containers or pouches which are opaque through which light cannot enter.
CHOOSE THE PERFECT CONTAINER :
Selecting good airtight opaque containers can considerably increase the shelf life of the teas by preventing them from aur, light and moisture. This helps in retaining the subtle nuances of flavor and aroma profile of the teas. Some options are metal tins, ceramic containers with tight lids , Kraft paper pouches with aluminium lining inside.
STORE IN IDEAL TEMPERATURE :
Now what is ideal temperature? Generally normal room temperature is the best , not excess heat, not excess humidity, dry temperature.
Some people prefer to refrigerate their teas to maintain its crispiness and quality. It can be practiced but not for all teas.
AVOID CONTAMINATION WITH ODORS :
Tea succumbs to odors present nearby. It absorbs the smell and aroma and tend to loose its own characteristics. To keep the flavor and taste nuances intact ,one should keep the teas in proper airtight containers away from any such source which can contaminate the tea with its smell. One instance I can share, in our custom there is this daily ritual of lightening an incense stick during our prayers. Unaware of the fact , I kept the burning incense stick near my teabags and finally one day I found that the teas were smelling too fragrant and that they had absorbed the smell of incense sticks😄.Gosh…!! had to dump all my teas.
CONSIDER CLOSING THE CONTAINER QUICKLY :
One should open the container in which tea is stored only when needed and simultaneously close it once the tea has been taken out of it. Promptly closing and sealing the container will help to reduce the exposure to air and stop further oxidation . This will help in our motto of keeping the teas in fine condition.
LABEL THE CONTAINERS AND USE THE TEAS WISELY :
Clearly label each container with the type of tea and its date of purchase. This helps you keep track of freshness and ensures you use older teas first.
Remember, the goal is to create an environment that preserves the tea’s freshness by minimizing exposure to air, light, moisture, and odors. Elevate your tea-drinking ritual by unlocking the full potential of your loose leaf treasures through thoughtful and purposeful storage practices.
If you store your teas correctly, then the teas can retain their freshness for up to 3 years or even more. Find an array of thoughtfully crafted teas for every mood and occasion from our website www.theteaaddress.com . Here we take into consideration every effort from plucking the tea leaves to their proper sealing and storage . Hope you liked the read. Keep Steeping and Sipping…!!