Hello! In my last blog posting, I talked about my favorite teas. But this time I am going to write about properly storing tea at home, a question I receive every weekend at the Tea Cellar.
As you know, tea, especially loose leaf, is very delicate. The four items to be aware of when storing tea at home are: humidity, light, oxidation and smell. These are the powerful enemies of tea.
1. Humidity- Normal temperature without variation is the best. Try to keep the tea in a comfortable setting. Please do not place tea in a refrigerator because tea will absorb the smell from other foods. Humidity makes tea not only taste bad, but acquire a moldy texture. I recommend storing tea in a protective, air-tight container!
2. Light - Avoid placing the tea leaves in direct sunlight. Ultraviolet rays will ruin the taste.
3. Oxidation - Tea is easily oxidized when making contact with air. The moe tea leaves you expose, the more original taste will be lost.
4. Smell - Tea leaves acquire other smells very easily. Tea bags should be wrapped individually in paper and not in alumnium. The paper bags should then be placed in an air-tight container.
