The flavour and aroma of properly maintained loose tea leaves do not expire, but they will alter with time. A great example of that is green tea. When tea is kept poorly, the quality quickly degrades. As a result, the brewed cup has less taste and greater bitterness. Tea that is properly kept and not subjected to high heat will not deteriorate.
When loose leaf tea is fresh and flavourful, it is at its finest, and correctly storing it may help to guarantee that your tea remains good for as long as possible. Tea replenishes the mind, body, and soul on any occasion. Nothing beats a nice cup of tea when it comes to soothing our senses. So, how can you keep loose tea leaves fresh for a long time? To ensure a flavorful, delightful cup of tea, one must first learn and be familiar with the types of teas they will be storing.
Laws of Tea Storage
Loose tea leaves should be stored in a cool, dark, and dry place with as little air as possible. This may appear to be a simple task, but it requires expertise. Varied varieties of tea, such as tippy tea like Assam Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe (TGFOP), and other teas like Oolongs and Green Tea, have diverse freshness sensitivity which is the most susceptible to ageing since the freshness aspect is the first to lose during the ageing process. Sorting the blends and storing them in the best feasible way solves the problem.
Away from air
Tea and air do not make a good match. When exposed to air, the tea leaves absorb moisture and odours, which might degrade the flavour. It also promotes oxidation, which can lead to a loss of aroma or quality. Green, white, and yellow tea blends, for example, are more sensitive than orthodox black tea and oolong teas, therefore keeping them in a sealed jar is the best way to minimise unwanted air exposure.
Free of heat
High temperatures hasten the oxidation process, which you should avoid to keep your product fresh. As a result, it’s critical to keep tea leaves in a cold atmosphere. You may wish to keep mild blends like yellow and green teas in the freezer to extend their freshness and reduce the oxidation process. So, once you’ve purchased your white tea bags online or from the market, keep them in a cold place or in the freezer in an airtight container to minimise condensation.
Away from the light
When loose tea is exposed to light, it might be damaged chemically. Put loose leaf tea in a firmly sealed container or in a dark spot to keep it away from sunlight and heat-radiating equipment like microwaves or stoves.
Keep moisture at bay
Tea leaves, as we all know, release their flavour when they come into contact with moisture. Teas’ longevity can be greatly shortened if they are exposed to moisture. As a result, it’s critical to keep them from dampness and moisture absorption. Tea is hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture from the surrounding environment. The simplest approach to keep moisture out is to store it in a sealed container.
Avoid odours at all costs
Since tea leaves are permeable, they absorb odours from the environment over time, thus changing the flavour. This frequently occurs when spices, herbs, coffee, or other strong-smelling foods and beverages are stored in food pantries. This not only implies that you should keep your tea storage containers away from strong odours, but it also means that the container you’re keeping your tea in shouldn’t have a strong odour. To preserve the flavour and taste of your tea, keep it in a cabinet away from intense odours.
Solutions for Storage
Less oxidised teas, such as greens, yellows, and white blends, deteriorate faster than highly oxidised teas, such as Assam TGFOP, Oolongs, and Blacks. As a result, it is advised that each of the blends be stored in the appropriate container.
- Air Tight Jar – An airtight jar is a quick and easy way to keep air out of loose tea leaves.
- Air Tight Bag – Some loose teas are already packaged in an airtight bag, making it convenient for your usage. You may even purchase airtight bags separately to save space.
- Metal Container/Case – A metal container or case is an excellent storage option since it is extremely durable and effectively protects the leaves.
- Wooden Tea Box – Because light is your enemy here, you may also keep the loose tea leaves in wooden tea boxes available in the market.
We’re certain you’ve mastered the art of storing loose tea leaves for extended periods. If you are a tea connoisseur and want to learn more about the many varieties of teas, you should certainly visit the best tea store online and that will be Halmari. The Daga family’s Halmari Tea Estate produces the highest quality teas and has a history dating back over a century. It has established itself as a go-to spot for tea connoisseurs as a brand. So, if you’re looking to buy oolong tea, go to the Halmari Tea website and go through the many selections.