Last Updated on 2 March 2024 by Alisea Mae
Loose-leaf tea is a joy for anyone who appreciates the ceremony of making tea. The problem comes in storing these leaves to keep them fresh, potent, and healthy for longer. These tips on how to store loose-leaf tea can help.
I love trying out lots of different types of tea, whether it’s green, herbal, black, or something a little different. Recently, I’ve found myself drawn to loose-leaf products, such as the brilliant Happiness Tea blends over at Steenbergs. This new passion got me thinking about the best ways to store loose-leaf tea. We all want them to stay perfect for as long as possible, but loose-leaf tea isn’t the same as a normal tea bag. So, I did some research on the different environmental factors affecting loose tea leaves and the best practices for keeping your tea safe. Hopefully, this will help you get the best out of your favourite teas.
How to keep tea fresh
1) Avoid exposure to air
Tea leaves are at risk of oxidization when in contact with the air. The longer the exposure, the greater the chance of changes to the taste of the tea. This is the last thing we need when spending a little more money on a high-quality loose-leaf blend. Companies will vacuum seal their tea to avoid this, but eventually, you will have to open the packet and decant the tea.
This one can be tricky because some decorative tea caddies aren’t 100% air-tight. For example, if you have a decorative box with a different chamber and a simple clasp on the lid, that might not provide an adequate seal to keep your tea as fresh as possible. Look for specially-made tea canisters with tight seals and screw-top lids. Independent retailers, including many designers on Etsy, have you covered.
2) Keep it out of sunlight
This one is easy to get wrong. You might find some cute little glass jars with the perfect air-tight seal. This seems like a great idea on an aesthetic basis because you can show off the different leaves and add visual appeal to a kitchen counter. The problem is that loose-leaf tea can lose many of its best qualities in direct sunlight.
Sunlight can bleach tea leaves, ruining their colour and affecting their potency. You could open up the jar to find that the tea doesn’t have the same aroma as it used to. This is a problem for anyone using specific herbal blends for aromatherapy and relaxation. The heat from the sun can also have a negative impact on the nutrient content. Again, this is not ideal for anyone using a high-quality matcha or sencha for its health benefits. Stick with opaque metal canisters or keep the tea in its pouch if you use glass.
3) Keep out moisture
Tea performs at its best when you have completely dry leaves steeped in hot water. Tea exposed to moisture before use could end up losing its flavour or even developing some mould. You might think you are completely safe from moisture issues if you have one of those tightly-sealed tea canisters. However, bad tea-making practices and storage can still cause problems.
You want to keep your tea as far away from moisture as possible. A good starting point is to keep the tea away from the kettle to avoid steam getting in. Make sure to seal the container before boiling the water. Also, make sure to keep the container as dry as possible. Always use a dry spoon when scooping out your tea leaves, and make sure canisters are 100% dry after washing them.
4) Watch out for other aromas
Some tea lovers don’t realise that tea leaves can act like a sponge when it comes to scents too. This can quickly alter the fragrance of your favourite teas, potentially with some unpleasant odours or unusual food-based scents. Keep the tea away from strong-scented food items, such as spices, and be careful what you put next to it on the shelf.
5) Avoid unnecessary heat
Finally, it isn’t just the heat from the sun you need to worry about when storing loose-leaf tea correctly. You also need to be mindful of the temperature in the room. That is why it isn’t a good idea to have your tea canisters on the windowsill, even if they are opaque. You should keep them away from stove tops, kettles, and other appliances that may give off high heat. Keep the canisters up on a shelf or in a cool, dry cupboard out of the way.
FAQs
1) Can you store loose-leaf tea in the fridge?
This is a bad idea. Refrigeration enhances the risk of moisture issues and bad odours contaminating the tea.
2) Can you store and reuse loose-leaf tea?
It is possible to reuse your tea leaves over the course of the day. They can safely remain in the teapot for up to 4 hours, or you can dry them out on a paper towel. It’s best not to store them for another day because of the moisture content.
3) How long does loose-leaf tea last once opened?
Loose-leaf tea can last for a surprisingly long time. Even with the risks involved, it can last for a few months in the bag. However, it can last up to a year in one of those air-tight canisters.
4) Do tea leaves get better with age?
Companies can age their tea leaves for a better taste, but it isn’t essential. It is better to buy aged tea than to try and age tea leaves at home because of all the environmental factors listed above.
Storing Loose Tea at Home
There are more factors to consider here than we first imagine. Light, heat, air, moisture, and odour can all diminish the quality of our favourite teas. Still, with the right containers, storage areas, and best practices when making tea, we can handle them all. Soon, I will have another guide on the best loose-leaf tea containers to make all this even easier, so watch out for that.
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