Secrets for Keeping Your Exclusive Teas Fresh for a Long Time
For most tea enthusiasts, tea is more than just a beverage. It is a way of life. If you enjoy drinking tea, you likely have a selection of exclusive teas in your possession. These teas are not necessarily for everyday drinking but for special occasions or whenever the mood strikes.
Typically, exclusive teas come in the form of loose-leaf teas that don't have a relatively long shelf life like regular, everyday processed tea you usually find at the grocers. Hence, a common challenge many tea enthusiasts face is storing their exclusive teas for longer.
Today, we will discuss the key secrets for keeping your exclusive teas fresh for longer.
Secrets for Keeping Your Exclusive Teas Fresh for a Long Time
Thankfully, tea can hold on to its freshness, aroma, and flavor quite well if stored correctly. On average, regular tea stored in a tea bag can stay fresh for around four months, whereas the same tea can last up to a year when you store it in a tin can or other airtight containers.
However, exclusive teas may not retain their freshness, aroma, and flavor as well as regular black or green tea. Still, if you store it correctly, you can retain its freshness for up to 3 years or even more!
Here are the secrets that will help you store your exclusive teas for a long time.
Avoid Moisture
Moisture is the enemy of the freshness of any tea. So, keeping your exclusive loose-leaf teas as far away from moisture as possible would be best. Teas correctly stored away from moisture may retain freshness for up to 3 years or even more.
Of course, the freshness retained will depend on the particular tea, packaging, environment, etc. All teas lose some freshness, flavor, and aroma over time, but the less moisture around the tea, the longer it can retain its freshness and quality.
Choose the Correct Containers and Sizes
Naturally, airtight containers are the golden standard for storing tea. They can easily double the shelf life compared to typical tea bags or other non-airtight containers. However, you must be careful when choosing airtight containers for your exclusive teas.
The size of the container can play a key role in reducing moisture.
Generally, you want the tea to fit the volume of the container. When the tea fills the container, it leaves less room for air and moisture. If you are filling your containers just halfway through, it will considerably shorten the shelf life of your exclusive teas.
Maintain Ideal Temperature
Tea thrives at room temperature, so you must ensure that your exclusive teas or their containers are stored in a dry place that does not exceed room temperature. While an enclosed pantry is ideal, storing your tea containers above or around the stove may not be the best approach.
Stoves can regularly increase the nearby temperature, which may harm the teas, especially if they are not stored in airtight containers.
Avoid Sunlight
Another thing to consider is light. You should never store your tea under direct or indirect sunlight to avoid the sun's harmful UV rays from damaging the tea. Tin containers can generally block the most harmful UV rays. However, if your airtight containers are transparent, you may want to consider lining them with reflective aluminum foil.
Final Thoughts
That's it! Protect your exclusive teas from moisture, store them in appropriately-sized airtight containers at room temperature, and keep them away from sunlight. Following these steps successfully will help you retain their freshness for years.
Of course, you cannot expect the same day-one level of freshness over time. Even with the mentioned storage techniques, there may be some loss in freshness, flavor, and aroma. However, your exclusive teas will stay fit for consumption and retain more flavour than if you do not follow these secrets.
The last thing to consider is buying authentic loose-leaf teas from trusted retailers like Golden Tips Tea for the best exclusive teas. They retain freshness better and last longer.
If you want to learn more about the secrets of keeping your exclusive teas fresh for longer or about the best, most authentic, exclusive loose-leaf teas, please visit our website today.