So you have decided to take the plunge and try your hand at preparing and drinking Loose Tea. How do you store it to preserve the freshness and flavor? Storing loose leaf tea in part depends on the kind of tea.
Coffee is often stored in the freezer to maintain the freshness- this will damage the tea and lead to a tea that is not flavorful– it will be a waste of money and tea to do this.
Tea should be stored away from light, heat, and moisture in an air-tight container. This will protect your investment, as well as the flavor and aroma of the tea. Loose Tea – especially some blends are amazingly beautiful. But tea drinkers should resist the urge and inclination to store Loose Tea in a transparent container- even if it is air-tight. The light will impact the flavor of the tea, and not in a good way.
Loose Tea should also not be stored by a heat source. Storing Loose Leaf Tea by the stove or toaster will quickly rob the tea of its aroma and scent. Tea leaves are delicate and the heat will bake them and dissipate the associated flavor.
Specialty tea tins can be found at specialty retail shops or online. Often they are very pretty and can be had to match almost any décor. Usually, they are stainless steel and double-walled to protect the tea stored in them. By storing Loose Leaf Tea in a proper container, tea can be kept fresh for up to a year.
If you have several different kinds of teas stored in tea tins a tea chest can be the perfect way to keep them all together and convenient. Additionally, the tea chest adds a certain old-world charm to preparing, storing, and serving tea.
To protect Loose Leaf Tea, they should not be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Nor should loose leaf tea be stored near a heat source; but rather in a room temperature area, away from light, away from heat, and in an air-tight opaque container. This will provide the most protection for your investment.
