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Having a lot of loose leaf tea means you will always be able to enjoy the cup that matches both your mood and the occasion. However, that also means your teas may take up a lot of space. For tea lovers, having a lot of tea is nothing less than amazing, but trying to figure out how to store it properly can be troublesome. Here are some loose leaf tea storage ideas that can save you space and keep your tea fresh.
How to store tea properly
If you have a lot of tea, it’s important to be conscious about storing it properly. Firstly, many teas have an expiry date. While loose leaf tea won’t pose any danger to your health even when it’s past expiry date, both the flavor and benefits will significantly change. And there’s nothing more disappointing than drinking a flavorless cup of tea. Be careful with fruity blends and fermented teas though. They may develop bacteria that could actually be bad for you.
- Keep it away from water
Always keep tea always from water, moisture or humidity. Never use a wet spoon to scoop out tea leaves.
- Keep it away from sunlight
Sunlight is one of tea’s worst enemies. Leave a properly closed pouch with green tea in strong direct sunlight for a couple of hours and it will be ruined. Keep all pouches in dark, cool places.
- Store it in airtight containers
Too much exposure to air can ruin any loose leaf tea. Keep your teas in airtight containers. Use smaller containers and never keep them open unless you are scooping out tea leaves.
Read more on How to Store Loose Leaf Tea.
Best Storage Ideas for Loose Leaf Tea
1. Invest in proper stackable tea canisters
Smaller stackable tea storage tins or containers may be a wonderful choice for storing tea. Choose smaller 1-2 oz containers even if you have a lot of tea and use two or more instead and fill them up. Why? Because they will contain less air and will keep your tea leaves fresh longer.
2. Buy small jars and labels
Small glass tea jar filled with colorful tea leaves looks incredibly pretty. Glass jars are an inexpensive option and are available in different sizes. However, keep in mind that the leaves in glass are more exposed to sunlight. If you use them, store them in a dark cupboard.
3. Find re-sealable pouches
If you have a lot of different teas in a lot of different pouches and boxes, this can take up a lot of space and make your tea box look messy. You can invest into re-sealable pouches, transfer your tea from the original packaging into the pouches, and arrange them into storage boxes.
4. Get a small fridge
If you are buying a lot of pure unflavored tea, sometimes it’s best to store it in the fridge. Pure green, oolong and black tea are best stored in a vacuum sealed pouches. Take only a small amount of tea leaves that you plan to use within a month or two, and vacuum seal the rest. Tea that you are using daily should not be stored in the fridge.
5. Buy a wooden storage box for tea bags
If you prefer tea bags over loose leaf tea, invest into a wooden storage box with small compartments. Tea bag storage boxes will look amazing on any tea table and will take up much less space than original boxes. You can keep your teas organized by type and flavors.
6. Buy a tea cupboard
If you have a big tea collection, choose a tea corner in your house or a room and dedicate it to tea only. Find a cool and darker place, away from heaters or windows, ovens or stoves, and turn it into your tea station. Get a cupboard only for your tea. Choose solid wood cupboards with doors and drawers for tea accessories.
7. Use a spice rack
If you don’t have enough space to fit a cupboard, mounting a spice rack on the wall may be a good idea. Transfer your teas into small, non-transparent jars and place them on a spice rack. If you only have glass jars, mount the spice rack away from direct sunlight.
