Storage of Tea- From a Vendor to a Tea Container

How many times have you bought your favourite loose tea and neglected it? How many times have you left those delectable leaves inside the same paper bag you purchased them in? How many times have you opened a bag of tea and let it sit on a shelf, overlooked? How many times have you lazed off from putting it back in a tea container?

It is because of such habits that your tea goes stale and its taste declines.

Proper storage of tea is of utmost importance for a longer shelf life. If not stored properly, loose tea leaves can turn rancid and their taste may fade. Plus, contact with outer contaminants can hamper the flavour and aroma of loose tea. This kind of contamination not only harms the tea, but also the body of those who consume it.

The shelf life of tea is rather short. Exposure to unfavourable circumstances due to poor storage is the main reason behind the tea going bad. Five variables that you should avoid while storing your tea container are sunlight, heat, moisture/humidity, odours and air. Exposure to any of these parameters quickly degrades the quality of loose tea.

Generally, green, white and yellow tea last for about three-four months in the best circumstances. Oolong and black teas’ are better than the others due to their well-constructed structure. They can easily last up to 2 years with proper storage. While dark teas can be shelved for a longer duration, white teas can be reserved and aged well if they are stored correctly.

Teas are like sponges. Even if loose tea feels dry, it contains 3 per cent moisture and essential oils that are important for its flavour. They are porous and will take on the odour or fragrance of anything that they come in contact with. Some of the worst places to store your tea are in refrigerators, spice drawers, pantries that contain smelly foods, newly painted or varnished areas, old shelves where rats might stroll once in a while and of course, near cheese.

The best way to protect your tea from contamination is to store it in containers, in a cool, dark, dry and odour free space. However, if you are storing all your loose tea in one place, it is imperative that each tea is stored in airtight tea containers. This is because teas will begin picking up each other’s aromas. And while the blending of teas is a common phenomenon, when teas pick up each other’s aromas, they cancel out their entire taste altogether.

The Importance of a Tea Container

While there is a multitude of containers available in the market that can be used to store tea, there are also specific containers designed for tea storage. All in all, the best material for tea storage is one that does not attract, absorb or give off aromas.

Here are a few containers that are ideal for tea storage:-

Ceramic containers: Ceramic containers are the most ancient and traditional way of tea storage. Traditional tea caddies were made from wood and ceramics. Though finding an airtight ceramic caddie can be rare and expensive, it is a beautiful medium to store and showcase your tea.

Aluminium containers: An aluminium tin or a tea container lined with it are readily available. Currently, there is a growing market of such beautifully decorated containers with quirky designs. These containers are airtight and an attractive choice for tea storage.

Glass containers: A glass container is often neglected as an unsuitable tea container. However, it is generally inexpensive and comes with airtight seals. Since glass easily absorbs heat, it is ideal that they are kept in the dark, away from sunlight. Though not the first choice when it comes to tea storage, it is readily available in the market, and only add to your home decor with the right labels.

Vacuum sealed tea caddies: Vacuum sealed tea caddies pump out the oxygen from the container and seal the tea leaves within the container after every use. Though they are optimal for tea storage, they are also expensive.

Plastic containers: Though plastic is a cheaper and ever-present choice for a container, it can potentially degrade the quality of your tea. Therefore, storing tea in it for a long duration is not the best solution. However, as a short-term solution, plastic makes an excellent tea container.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Tea Storage

● Do

1. Buy in small quantities: Whenever you buy tea, it is best to buy in smaller quantities. This is because large amount of tea will probably sit in your storage for a long time. Once opened, loose tea might lose its taste over time if it keeps getting exposed to oxygen or any type of contaminants. Plus, with a large quantity of loose tea, you will have to use a larger tea container. Therefore, the smaller the quantity is, the easier it is to store.

2. Buy this year’s harvest: When it comes to buying loose tea, always start with fresh tea. If you purchase an older harvest, chances are it has already lived most of its shelf life. However, a fresh harvest will give you a longer shelf life and better taste.

3. Seal it up: Whether it’s loose tea, CTC tea or tea bags, it is important that the tea container is airtight and sealed shut at all times. This will help in avoiding the escape of essential oils from the tea leaves, and the mixing of aromas between them.

4. Keep it cool: In tea storage, it is essential to store your loose tea in a cool, dry area, ideally a low cupboard. However, do not store it in a fridge. It is vital that your tea is away from smelly or excessively fragrant foods. An extremely humid environment will turn your loose tea soggy since it absorbs moisture very quickly.

5. Choose fancy storage: Finally, it is always a thrill to celebrate your loose tea leaves by storing them in an attractive caddie or tea container. There are many varieties of tea containers in the market that work as attractive storage options. Similarly, if you opt to use an antique to store your tea, make sure it is lined and not made of lead.

● Don’t

1. Go overboard: Your love for tea may make you want to try every type of loose tea that hits the market. However, it is best to curb your enthusiasm to try every new tea. If you don’t, before you know it, your cupboard will be overflowing with tea. The same tea that you may never get a chance to drink or consume completely.

2. Expose it to light: Avoid storing your loose tea in a see-through container in a brightly lit place. The light will degrade the leaves more quickly and lighten their colour.

3. Store in unlined wooden containers: While storage in wooden containers can be quiet aesthetic and isn’t necessarily wrong, it is wrong to store your tea in unlined containers. Either used pre-lined containers or line your contained yourself before putting your tea in them. Make sure that your tea container’s lid is secure, otherwise, it may allow moisture to seep into the tea.

4. Store above the gas: The rising heat from your kitchen gas will weaken the flavours of your loose tea. Therefore, your tea container should never be above the hob.

5. Store in a fridge or spice rack: Tea leaves shouldn’t be put in a fridge as they will absorb the moisture through condensation. Similarly, keeping loose tea in or around aromatic spices could spell disaster for it. The porous nature of loose tea will suck in the other aromas and lose their unique flavour.

Tea is one of the most delicate yet affordable luxuries in the world. Since there is a highly unlikely chance that the mix of your loose tea with another fragrant ingredient will give rise to an accidental new blend, it is pivotal to learn proper tea storage. Always remember that real people across the world’s tea plantations put in time and effort to pick this tea by hand. Plus, after careful processing, it has finally made its way into your care. So to enjoy every sip, even after months of purchasing it, follow the rules and get the best tea container to store your tea.