Tea and coffee storage – containers, jars, professional organizers

How to store tea correctly: the basics

First of all, we will talk about storage conditions: how long to store tea, at what temperature and other important information. The shelf life of Chinese tea in your home will depend on these nuances.

Minimum humidity

The tea drink, regardless of the type, should be kept in a room with a humidity level not exceeding 30-40%. When opening a jar or other container, the leaves absorb water. Over time, they deteriorate and smell unpleasant.

You can organize the storage of tea in small portions in small containers. Package the product packaging into tubes consisting of several compartments. Then each batch will have less contact with air.

Different types of tea react to humidity in their own way. Black and pressed leaves absorb moisture more. Green and loose varieties are least susceptible to moisture.

Expensive and high-quality varieties do not deteriorate relatively longer in humidity. The more complete the leaf surface, the less moisture it contains. For example, black tea contains up to 7% moisture, and green tea contains 5%. When the humidity reaches 8%, the drink becomes more sour and begins to lose its taste and aroma. For this reason, it is worth choosing more carefully in which container you will store your tea.

Darkness

Sunlight is a powerful oxidizing agent for seagulls. The sun destroys the leaves, deteriorates their taste and beneficial qualities. In addition, it affects their color. If they are exposed to light for a long time, they begin to fade. If you do not have dark places to store tea leaves at home or in an establishment, use dense containers that are not capable of transmitting sunlight.

Temperature

Tea storage, like coffee storage, should ideally be organized at a temperature of 0 to 18 degrees. When creating a warmer room, it is possible to continue fermenting green tea bags and regular black tea. As a result, white or green will quickly deteriorate. This is not a big deal if you brew the drink every day or more often. Because you will use it before it becomes unusable.

Choose a tea storage box that is located far from the stove, oven, radiator and other heat sources.

It is worth pointing out that thanks to the cool temperature, the shelf life of green tea and others will be extended. Correctly selected temperature for storing tea can inhibit various pathogenic factors in the development of microorganisms.

How long and how much loose leaf tea can be stored in bags in company packaging or other containers in the kitchen will depend on other factors. Manufacturers usually write storage conditions on the original packaging.

Interestingly, the best containers for loose leaf tea in the kitchen are tea storage drawers, and the best place is the refrigerator due to temperature and lack of light. This answers the popular question of whether tea can be stored in the refrigerator.

Foreign odors

The refrigerator is a great place to store tea and coffee. However, there is a BUT. There are a lot of flavors in this place. The leaves will absorb them if you use a tea jar with a loose lid.

When storing tea in the refrigerator, choose jars with a sealed silicone seal between the neck and lid. It will ensure the safety of the leaves and prevent unnecessary odors from reaching them.

Fragrances are produced not only for food products, but also for plastic with spices, perfumes and household chemicals. If you decide to use containers that have contained other products, make sure they are clean. Wash them thoroughly in hot water.

Packaging tightness

Tightness is needed to retain beneficial and flavorful properties and protect from the external environment. First of all, it is necessary when storing tea with strong-smelling products, such as spices. Thanks to proper packaging, you can extend the shelf life of green tea and any other tea.

Incorrect temperature

Experts recommend storing tea in a cool place, at a temperature between 0 and 18 degrees. Therefore, if we are talking about the kitchen, it is better to keep tea in a cupboard away from the stove, oven and other heat sources.

Light varieties prefer lower temperatures. Coolness is a particularly important condition for storing oolongs. For example, it is better to keep Taiwanese oolongs in vacuum packaging in the refrigerator, and Tie Guan Yin in the freezer.

You need to be extremely careful with frozen tea: store in small portions, take out the right amount and put the rest back quickly, avoiding thawing and re-freezing. It’s worth bothering with the freezer if you are storing an expensive type of tea for more than 3 months. In other cases, darkness, dryness and tightness are much more important.

Dark teas and pu-erhs feel great at room temperature. Both shu pu'er and shen pu'er do not require special temperature conditions. For them, dryness and the absence of foreign odors are much more important.

Peculiarities

Nowadays you can buy a tea box in some tea and coffee stores, and online stores also offer a wide range. Such an unusual gift can be given as a gift; lovers of this drink will especially appreciate the surprise. Even in Ancient China, this item was popular; an elite variety of tea was poured into the box and brought to the emperor’s court. In those days, such a product was very expensive. The boxes could be decorated with gold, pearls, paintings, and tea itself was considered almost a cure for all diseases.

Even now, Japan and China continue to maintain traditions. For example, a wooden box depicting national symbols is an integral attribute of important diplomatic meetings. There are even modern brands that, along with tea products, also produce these interesting boxes for storing tea bags.

Among them, for example, “Akhmad Chai”, “Bazilur”, “Greenfield”.

General information

To generalize such people, they do not have a favorite brand of coffee or type of tea, and when one or another drink runs out, promotions in supermarkets help out. Convenient and simple! This is not an ordinary article, as we decided to conduct a survey and find out how other people organize the storage of tea and coffee in the kitchen.

There were many respondents, but most had repetitions, and it turned out that we divided everything into categories:

1. People who have a minimal supply of tea and coffee - they have one can of instant coffee at home, and small quantities of bagged or loose tea.
2. Connoisseurs of the drink - they are the ones who have several types of their favorite coffee/tea, shelves for items needed for the morning ritual, special machines and unusual teapots.
3. Simple lovers of delicious drinks - they have a separate cabinet at home for a million jars and boxes of loose and bagged tea, here you can find green/black/herbal tea, as well as ground/bean/standard instant/cocoa coffee and marshmallows in addition, and also several types of syrups and sugar.
4. Creative individuals who have non-standard storage solutions.

Storage conditions for different types of tea

There are many varieties of tea - black, green, red, yellow, white, pu-erh, oolong, sencha, herbal and others. Many years of experience of producers and ordinary people suggests that the basic storage rules are no different for different varieties:

• Cool room,
• Low humidity
• Sealed packaging,
• No direct sunlight,
• No pungent odors.

When choosing where to store tea at home in the kitchen, look for a place that meets these conditions. Most likely, it will be a closed box away from the stove and heating devices, specially reserved for tea and coffee.

What conditions allow tea to be stored for a long time?

1. Strong or acrid odors . The drink tends to absorb foreign odors. If the room smells strongly of something, the leaves will absorb the incense. In this case, the taste of the drink can change greatly.
2. Increased air humidity . Exposure to moisture leads to very disastrous results - the product becomes unusable. Tea leaves contain a very small percentage of moisture, so as soon as possible, the product absorbs water. It is worth noting that such leaves quickly become moldy and spoil.
3. Exposure to the sun activates the oxidative processes of the product. The drink completely loses its aroma, and the leaves dry out and crumble. It is worth noting that the product is capricious not only when interacting with direct sunlight, but also with diffused light.
4. Temperature regime . Too high a temperature promotes accelerated growth of bacteria. Therefore, the product should be left in a cool room.
5. Contact with oxygen . This factor causes the leaves to oxidize, which leads to the proliferation of harmful microorganisms and loss of taste of the product.

How and why packaged tea leaves are produced

Most often it contains debris and dust from tea leaves. Tea bags are classified as category D. They are industrial waste from leaf tea. Cheap products contain dust, which already partially lacks the aroma and taste characteristic of leaves. Many manufacturers compensate for this deficiency by adding flavorings and flavoring substances. Other companies put healthy products - pieces of fruit, dried berries, mint leaves. The tea leaves are divided into packaged and sheet according to the following principle:

1. Raw materials go through the same stages of production. Withering - removal of moisture.
2. Rolling - giving shape to leaves and destroying their cells in a roller.
3. Fermentation is the oxidation of cell juice, tea leaves turn brown, chlorophyll stops being bitter, and astringency appears.
4. Drying – final removal of moisture up to 5%.
5. Sorting by tea size. The dried tea leaves are placed on a sieve and large-leaf, medium-leaf and small bagged tea are separated.

The drink in bags is obtained at the last stage of raw material processing.

There are several types of bags, the most popular are the rectangular ones with a label. They may have one or two cameras and a metal bracket. Unscrupulous manufacturers use glue that worsens the taste of the tea leaves.

The process of placing the scattering into a bag occurs using special equipment operating in automatic mode. To preserve the beneficial properties, the bags are made in large sizes.

In envelopes, the tea bag is less exposed to the environment and better retains its taste

Conscientious manufacturers who value their name and authority place each bag in a separate envelope. This reduces the impact of environmental factors.

Can tea be stored in the refrigerator and freezer?

Storing tea in the refrigerator, on the one hand, is suitable for temperature conditions. But most importantly, the humidity in the refrigerator is much higher than necessary. Therefore, storing tea and tea leaves in the refrigerator is not recommended.

As for storing in the freezer, it is more suitable for long-term storage of herbs. By collecting fresh herbs in the summer and freezing them, you can pamper yourself with a bright and unusual taste all year round. You can do the same with berries, which will further take your tea drinking to a new level.

Dependence of shelf life on the type of tea

Let's take a closer look at each type of tea and its storage periods:

1. Black. Remarkably helps the body in stressful situations. Dark tea cannot be stored for more than 24 months. No more than 60 days are allowed to be stored after opening the package. Freshly prepared tea should be drunk within thirty minutes. It is allowed to be consumed throughout the day if stored in the refrigerator.
2. Green. Increases the performance and vital activity of the body. When unopened, it can be stored in the same way as black, for no more than 24 months. Cannot be stored for more than six months in opened paper packages.
3. Yellow. Keeps for a year. By the end of the shelf life it loses its beneficial qualities.
4. Hibiscus. This type of hot drink is made from hibiscus. Does not contain caffeine. Stores for a year if sealed. Retains its characteristics for up to 3 years.
5. White. Has a healing effect. There are about six species. Depending on the variety, the shelf life of white tea is measured from 5 months to 24.
6. Red. It is stored for two to three years.
7. Blue. It has a specific smell and taste. Saved for 2 years.
8. Puer. Every year it captivates consumers with new aromatic and taste notes. The only tea that requires air during preservation.
9. Egyptian yellow. Made from seeds, not leaves. This is the main difference from all other types of tea. It is stored for two years.
10. Indian. It must be stored in an airtight container because it is too sensitive to odors. Storage time – 1 year.
11. Chinese. It is stored in special small freezers. Thaw and consume within 24 hours. It can be stored for a very long time – up to 8 years.
12. Ceylonese. It is recommended not to keep it in the kitchen. It should be stored in a dark space for 1-2 years.
13. Kalmyk. Stores for 24 months.

The shelf life of the product is always indicated on the packaging

What factors influence the preservation of tea?

Let's consider only those factors that have the strongest impact on the tea leaf.

What affects tea storage?

Air humidity

A very significant factor! High humidity or strong fluctuations in humidity render tea unusable. A dry leaf, although it contains a small percentage of water, is a hygroscopic product, i.e. easily absorbs moisture from the air. This occurs whenever the ambient humidity is greater than the relative water content of the dry leaf. Humidity, especially coupled with high temperature, provokes the rapid development of microorganisms and mold. The photo below demonstrates this well.

High humidity caused mold to appear on tea

Exposure to sunlight

Sunlight, whether direct or scattered from a window, activates enzymes or enzymes that accelerate the oxidation process (tea production technology), destroying the pigments of the tea leaf. As a result, the dry leaf quickly turns yellow, the aroma of freshly brewed tea is muffled, and the color of the infusion turns from soft green to sickly yellow for green teas.

Temperature

What do you think causes spoilage of any product, which undoubtedly includes tea? These are bacteria, mold and yeast - three groups of microorganisms that are responsible for the spoilage of our favorite tea! It is unlikely that it will be possible to avoid the presence of these pests, but it is possible to reduce the result of their vital activity to a minimum. How to achieve this? Anyone who remembers school physics knows that the lower the temperature, the slower the life processes of microorganisms proceed. Actually, for this reason, we store most products in the refrigerator or freezer, significantly increasing their shelf life. The same rules apply regarding the proper storage of tea; at high temperatures it deteriorates much faster than at low temperatures.

Strong odors in the storage area

Tea is an excellent absorbent of surrounding odors, i.e. perfectly absorbs “alien” aromas. What does it mean? Try putting the tea in your spice drawer and brewing it in just a few days! The result will be spoiled tea, namely the smell of the dry leaf and the aroma of the infusion borrow the strong smell of the surroundings. Have you tried “puer that smells like fish”?

Contact with oxygen

Oxygen is a necessary element in the oxidation process, and tea has something to oxidize. These are polyphenols, which in their oxidized form do not provide any benefit. At the same time, in their non-oxidized form, they are excellent antioxidants, which are the secret of youth and beauty, which the packaging of branded drinks shouts about. With prolonged contact of oxygen with tea, most of the polyphenols are destroyed, and the tea loses its rejuvenating properties.

We recommend: Features of storing honey at home

Selecting utensils for storage

A suitable container is the key to high-quality and successful storage of tea. Everything matters: size, light and air permeability, material, and so on. Of course, it is the material that is most often responsible for the remaining characteristics, so let’s start with it.

If the containers are from the same service or collection, then it is worth labeling them so that each time you choose a type of tea you do not open the jar - this can lead to rapid spoilage of the product.

Storage Details

Tea storage conditions

In order to preserve tea and its special aroma, you need to learn how to store it correctly. To do this, it is necessary to take into account the following nuances.

Minimum humidity

Tea must be stored in a dry place, the humidity of which is at the level of 30 - 40%.

Every time you open a jar of tea, the tea leaves absorb moisture like a sponge, and over time this can lead to spoilage and an unpleasant odor. Therefore, it is best to store tea in small jars so that the product does not have time to deteriorate.

Darkness

Light is a very powerful oxidizing agent, especially sunlight.

If you wish, you can even experiment by placing small handfuls of tea on a sunny windowsill and you will notice the difference in taste.

The oxidation process not only worsens the taste, but also kills beneficial substances, and after some time the tea leaves may even become dull.

REFERENCE! If there is no dark place for storage, then it is better to choose a container made of very dense material that does not allow sunlight to pass through, for example, a tin can.

Temperature

The temperature should be between 0 and 18°. If the temperature is higher, there is a risk of continued fermentation of the tea, which can cause delicious green or white tea to turn into brown, foul-smelling leaves. In addition, a low temperature will increase the shelf life of tea and slow down the development of various pathogenic microorganisms.

There are many options for where to store tea, but usually it is the kitchen because it is the most convenient. Well, in the kitchen there are different options, it could be a shelf or a refrigerator. Storing tea in the refrigerator may seem like an unexpected place, but it maintains the necessary light and temperature.

Fragrances

The refrigerator is a great option for storing tea for several reasons. But such a storage location also has a significant disadvantage - the presence of various odors. Tea leaves absorb any odors, whether you want them to or not.

Even if you just fry fish or chop onions in the kitchen and brew tea at the same time, you may not be pleased with the aroma and aftertaste of the drink. This applies not only to food products, but also to spices, plastics, perfumes, and household chemicals.

Therefore, not only the place where tea is stored is important, but also the container in which it is stored. You can store tea in the refrigerator, where the vegetable drawers are the best storage place. It is important not to forget about sealed and careful packaging.

Packaging tightness

Of all the points listed above, one final one can be determined - the tightness of the packaging. It is needed so that the tea retains its flavor and beneficial properties as much as possible.

REFERENCE! In addition, good packaging helps keep tea fresh even when environmental conditions are not entirely optimal.

Tea storage container

The right storage container is the key to quality tea storage. Absolutely everything matters here, including the size of the container, the material from which it is made, as well as the permeability of air, light, etc. It is clear that it is the material that is usually responsible for all other characteristics, so let's start with that.

If you have containers from the same collection or service, then you need to label them so that when choosing a type of tea you do not open all the jars each time, because this can lead to rapid spoilage of the product.

Basic rules for storing tea

1. There is no need to touch the tea with your hands.

You need to understand that usually your hands in the kitchen smell of a variety of products, so it is better to avoid direct contact with tea so that it does not absorb foreign aroma. Even if you have not had contact with other products, there may be traces of sweat or fat on your hands that can transfer to the tea leaves. It is better to transfer the tea using a clean spoon, spatula, or simply pour it out of the container by weight.

1. The tea does not need to be compacted.

The leaves can be damaged by pressure, causing the tea to quickly dissipate as enzymes and aroma are released. In this case, the taste will change, and not at all for the better. Tea bags must also be stored in a special box.

1. It is better to store fresh tea.

Before buying tea, you need to carefully look at the date of its assembly. It is harvesting, not packaging or packaging. It often happens that up to several months pass between the collection and packaging of tea. It is clear that such tea will have a less rich taste.

1. Separate containers for different varieties.

If one tea runs out, then usually another variety is poured into it, but this cannot be done because of the possibility of mixing aromas, and then the drink will be impossible to drink.

1. Breadbox.

The Internet is full of information that it is great to store tea in an ordinary wooden breadbox, since it creates a special atmosphere in which the products stay fresh longer. It is clear that tea should not be stored there in bulk, but it is quite possible to put jars and boxes of tea in it.

1. Green tea requires special sealed packaging.

If you store green tea incorrectly, you can get absolutely ordinary red tea from being delicious.
REFERENCE! It is better not to let this happen, but to store green tea in a completely airtight container.

There are some more tips on how to handle tea leaves

First secret

If you use cute clay or porcelain containers for tea, this will also be an additional decor for the kitchen. The main thing is that they are not located near the stove or in direct sunlight.

Second secret

It can be difficult to find the ideal containers for storing tea, then you can resort to the help of specialized tea stores that have a large selection of the right containers. The best option is a ceramic container with a lid with a silicone layer. Thus, it will simply be impossible for air to get inside.

Third secret

To buy truly delicious tea, you need to pay attention to the store itself. If its assortment is constantly updated and sold out, then it will not be easy to buy stale tea there. But if tea has been sitting on the display case for months, then instead of tea you risk buying dried grass that has no taste or smell.

REFERENCE! You should especially stay away from retail outlets located near household chemicals or food products that have a strong odor.

Most common mistakes

1. Often in a store window you can see various sets of tea in glass or even plastic containers. This looks, of course, very nice, but it is better to pass by such sets, because it is difficult to know how long these teas have stood under bright lamps and how long ago they lost their properties.
2. On the Internet you can often see advice about storing tea in the freezer. But the features of such storage are usually not discussed there. You can actually store small portions of tea in the freezer, which is quickly used up. After such storage, the tea will better release its aroma and the tea drink will be more saturated. It is not recommended to store large reserves in this way, because this will cause it to dissipate much faster.
3. Wooden boxes are a new trend in tea storage. But usually they are chosen only by appearance, which is absolutely wrong. This should be done according to the type of material, for example, larch is the best for storing tea. It is better to avoid all types of wood finishing unless you want to drink tea that is saturated with the synthetic smell of varnish or paint.

What is the shelf life of tea?

How long tea can be stored is determined by the manufacturer on the packaging. This is especially true for tea bags and pyramids. But if you still have the packaging from the sheet type, then also pay attention to this information on it.

Cut out the expiration date for Chinese tea from the original packaging before transferring the tea to a jar or other container. Stick it on the jar or put it inside. This way you will always know how long you can store your type of tea.

After the expiration date, the tea can be consumed, but it will no longer please you with its bright taste. Loose tea can be stored for the following period:

• Black tea up to one and a half years (1.5 years),
• Green tea up to six months (0.5 years),
• Oolong up to one year (1 year),
• Herbal tea up to one and a half years (1.5 years),
• Pu'er up to a decade (10 years).

The average shelf life of loose leaf tea of ​​any variety is 1 year.

Tea storage conditions: why follow them

Many people prefer not to think about where and how to store tea. After all, the packages say nothing about the rules for storing tea, and the tea is already packaged. But those who have tried fresh and old tea at least once know that the difference between them is huge. If stored incorrectly or for a long time, the appearance, taste, aroma, color of the infusion changes, and over time, the amount of nutrients.

You need to understand that the shelf life and shelf life are calculated from the date of collection, and not from the date of packaging. Tea changes its properties not so much under the influence of time as under the influence of environmental factors. Experts in the field of tea culture say that not all teas spoil over time. This does not apply to pu-erh, yellow and white teas, or Taiwanese oolongs. They only improve their taste with each year of storage. But violation of storage conditions and external factors can harm any tea without exception.

Ideas for storing tea bags

Tea in bags is less demanding on storage conditions, so it can be placed in decorated storage containers. There are a ton of shelves, stands and boxes made specifically for tea bags on the market, but you can make them yourself.

Do some crafts and make storage out of scrap items. Alternatively, take cardboard paper and cut it into any shape with shelves for the bags. Your imagination will look aesthetically pleasing on the kitchen table, attracting the attention of guests. If you don’t want to waste time creating shelves, then look for some kind of container in your home that will fit the size of tea bags. More often a thin plastic cookie cutter is used.

The easiest way is to allocate a space or shelf in the kitchen cabinet. It will hide the tea from moisture and will always be within walking distance, but there should only be tea there, since it can absorb pungent odors even through the packaging.

Jars and utensils for storing tea at home

Choosing a suitable container will be the key to effective storage of tea in bags or loose leaves. What is important to pay attention to:

• Size,
• Light transmittance
• tightness,
• Material.

When answering the question in which container is best to store tea, it is worth pointing out that dishes made of porcelain, ceramics, glass and tin tubes are suitable for this. Such containers will provide excellent storage conditions, which will help the leaves of black, green, white, red and any other tea variety retain their properties.

The most suitable tableware options for storing tea are ceramic jars and tin cans. They do not allow light to pass through, and usually have a good seal - what is needed for proper storage.

In specialized stores you will find special porcelain teapots for storing tea. They already have all the necessary qualities for such dishes. The main thing is that they have a cool design in ethnic or modern style.

If you'll be using a drawer for storage rather than open shelves, glass jars will also work. Make sure that their lid fits tightly to the jar itself and does not let air through. When choosing specialized boxes, also pay attention to their tightness. Unlike glass jars, it can also be stored on open kitchen shelves or in the living room.

Avoid fabric, paper and cardboard boxes and containers. Typically, they are the second packaging in which manufacturers ship their products. In addition to it, you will definitely find a sealed foil package inside. After opening it, pour the tea into a more suitable container.

Cardboard box for black tea, plastic containers for Chinese tea, paper, cloth and cardboard for loose tea are poor options. You need to carefully choose a storage location for them. But this option may be suitable if you plan to consume the drink within a month.

Is it possible to store tea in a tin?

You can store tea in a tin can, but provided that it is sufficiently airtight. In addition, it is easier to select and buy such a jar than other types of storage containers.

Is it possible to store tea in a glass jar?

Storing tea in a glass jar is possible only if two conditions are met:

1. Firstly, the lid fits tightly to the vessel, which creates a tight seal.
2. Secondly, you store the jar itself in a dark box, out of direct sunlight.

How to store herbs for tea

Orange peels for tea, herbs picked in summer and other additives are also recommended to be stored in airtight containers. Humidity and lack of sunlight are also important for them. But if you are a hobbyist and use them very often, then don’t worry, they won’t deteriorate even in cardboard boxes.

Features of different varieties

The taste, brewing and storage of tea depends on the variety. Now the range of tea drinks is so huge that everyone can choose one to suit their needs. The main thing is to take into account the characteristics of each tea.

1. Green – it contains a large number of useful elements due to the lack of oxidation. On the plus side, it regulates sugar, reduces blood pressure, cleanses the body, increases vascular flexibility, increases metabolism, and slows down aging. Should be stored in the refrigerator. It is necessary to brew with water at about 75-85 degrees for about 2-4 minutes. If water is too hot, the drink may taste bitter. One brew can be enough for 4-5 times, provided that the tea is of high quality.
2. Black – dark color is obtained due to long-term fermentation. It contains caffeine, however, it is much milder than coffee. Tea can strengthen the immune system and increase brain function, but drinking too much can make it difficult to absorb vitamins, iron, and protein. It is better to store in a cool, dark place. When brewing this type of tea, it is better to use water at 85-95 degrees for about 5-6 minutes. This tea leaves enough for 2-3 uses.
3. White - transparency is obtained by steaming the leaves and drying them in the sun. It contains much more benefits than fermented due to the lack of oxidation. It can perfectly fight fatigue, refresh, improve metabolism, and it contains the smallest percentage of caffeine of all varieties, but it is also considered one of the most expensive. Should be stored in a cool place. The leaves should be brewed at 55-65 degrees for about 2-4 minutes. Can be used for 5-6 brews.

4. Herbal tea - there are various variations of this tea, but before using herbs you should find information about their properties and the correct combination. It calms well and has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. You need to fill it with boiling water - 100 degrees. The infusion depends on what herbs you use. The time can range from 2 to 10 minutes.
5. Pu-erh - this type has its own specific taste, which is obtained due to long-term fermentation. It cleanses the body, reduces blood sugar and normalizes blood pressure. Therefore, it is believed that the older the pu-erh is, the healthier it is. Needs to be kept in a dark place. The brewing water should be about 85-90 degrees. Leave for 3-4 minutes. But you can brew it 8 to 10 times.
6. Hibiscus – this variety has the highest amount of antioxidants. Therefore, it has anti-inflammatory effects and may help slow down aging. Fill with hot water at about 90-95 degrees and leave for about 9-12 minutes.
7. Mate is based on Paraguayan holly. This variety contains the highest amount of caffeine. It contains a high content of minerals and vitamins that have a beneficial effect on the body. When brewing, use boiling water - 95-100 degrees. Leave for about 6 minutes. The number of uses of the tea leaves can reach 9 times.

Interesting!

Unlike other varieties of tea, pu-erh when interacting with air only becomes more aromatic and healthier, and in sealed packages it begins to lose its properties.

How to handle tea correctly

Such an exquisite drink requires an appropriate attitude. First of all, do not apply tea with your hands. To put the tea leaves into the teapot, use a spoon and or a wooden spatula. This experience will create a special mood for your tea ceremony.

Also, you should not compact the tea leaves. If you transfer them to storage containers and force them to the bottom, this will cause damage and quickly dissipate the aroma. Loose tea, in this case, will change the taste, regardless of how long you plan to store the tea leaves, in a glass jar or other container and at what temperature.

When purchasing, pay attention to the assembly date and shelf life of the tea indicated by the manufacturer. Obviously, fresh tea with a long date will last much longer.

Light

First of all, we are talking about sunlight. It literally destroys the leaves - it starts the oxidative process, which leads to the loss of nutrients. Tea in the light also loses color and taste. And we’re not just talking about direct sunlight: even dim, diffused daylight has an adverse effect on tea leaves. Guangdong and Wuyishan oolongs are especially affected by ultraviolet radiation. For them, darkness and tightness are more important than even storage temperature.

Remember this rule when purchasing: tea in glass jars on store shelves looks beautiful, but is absolutely useless. This also includes tea in transparent bags. If you still store blends in a glass jar at home, then it should either be made of dark glass or stand in a tightly closed cabinet without glass.

Mistakes of storing tea in the kitchen

The shelf life is sharply reduced if you use unsealed glass jars or plastic containers for storing tea, which are placed on open kitchen shelves. Such containers are subject to two negative influences at once:

1. Exposure to sunlight
2. Penetration of kitchen odors into the jar.

Another mistake is using a tea box to store tea. The fact is that you risk that the leaves will become saturated with the smell of paint, varnish or wood. Its use is only possible if you place sealed containers inside.

If you do not want to create your own signature tea mix, then keep each variety in its own container, avoiding mixing them.

Errors

Drinking tea has become so common in our lives that we can make mistakes without even knowing it. That is why you should have an idea about them:

1. Some people prefer to store different types of tea in one container - this is not true, because the smell of previous leaves can ruin the aroma of new ones. Consuming tea after the expiration date can lead to dangerous health problems, as well as the development of tumors.
2. Drink tea before bed - if you do not want to suffer from insomnia, then it is better not to do this due to the presence of caffeine in it.
3. Gift containers with tea - usually in stores you can see beautifully decorated glass containers that are passed off as high-quality tea leaves. However, for those who truly understand it, they know that it is unlikely that tea that has stood in glass for so long will be truly useful.
4. Storing tea in the freezer in large quantities - of course, there is nothing wrong with this, but it is better to do this in small volumes, otherwise its smell will quickly disappear.
5. Do not take out the tea leaves - if you make tea in the morning, leave it until the evening and then drink it, you will not only not get any benefit, but will also harm your health.

Dedicated storage space

There is an option for storing tea for advanced people - in a room specially equipped for this, which maintains optimal humidity and air temperature. Yes, such pleasure is not cheap, and not everyone can afford it.

An ordinary tea drinker does not need such excesses: the main thing is to know the basic storage rules. And special premises will be useful to collectors who collect elite varieties, the cost of which is comparable to a car.

STORING TEA – WHAT TO STORE IN – PACKAGING, BAGS, JARS, TEAPOTS, TEA CONTAINERS

How long to store tea leaves?

We've sorted out loose tea. The question remains: how long can you store brewed tea - black, green or any other? It is advisable to leave the tea in a brewed state for no more than a day. After this, the tea leaves will begin to sour and produce microorganisms. In this case, it does not matter how many times you brew the drink and refresh the water.

You should also store tea in a thermos for no more than one or two days. Despite the fact that the thermos excludes the entry of air, the fermentation effect also begins in it after the specified time. If you are going on a hike, think in advance where and how you will refresh the tea brewed in a thermos.

If the tea still goes bad

If the tea has nevertheless lost its properties: it has changed color, smell or taste, you should not rush to open the trash can - and it may come in handy. For example, it is popular to use tea as a flavoring agent and even a deodorizer.

Due to the ability of tea leaves to absorb odors, they can be used to get rid of unpleasant odors in cabinets, refrigerators, and even shoes. All that is required is to scatter the leaves into fabric bags and arrange them where necessary.

Best before date

It is not recommended to store the product for more than one and a half years. The only exception is the now fashionable pu-erh and yellow tea. If this period has passed, it can also be used as a deodorizer.

But already brewed tea can be stored for no more than two hours. It is better to drink it immediately after preparation, since a warm tea drink is an excellent environment for the proliferation of various microorganisms. For long-term storage, it is better to put it in the refrigerator.