Tea Newbie Tip #3 - Do I need a tea tin?/ How do I store my tea?
So while at the store the person behind the counter recommends buying a tin for the teas you’ve picked out because, “It will keep the tea fresher and last longer.” Is this true? Yes. Is it necessary? Well that depends on your situation.
If this if your first or second time buying tea, then it’s probably not something you need just yet. Most tea retailers will sell their teas in zip locked pouches. These pouches will keep your tea nice and fresh for a good period of time, usually at least a month or 2. These pouches are the best way to go if you are just starting out and purchasing sample sizes of tea.
Now let’s say you found a tea that you absolutely love and want to have on hand all the time for regular drinking. Or you found a tea you really like and would like to have a small stash on hand for occasional drinking. This is where tea tins will come in handy. Tea tins will keep your tea fresher, longer for anywhere up to a year or more. They keep out light, air and other aromas that will diminish the quality of your tea.
When picking out a tin, try and stick to these 3 rules:
1. Does it have a tight seal?
2. Is it an appropriate size for the amount of tea I’m buying, and where I’m going to store it?
3. Does the design fit my aesthetic? (A beautiful tea tin also makes an excellent display piece)
But if opting not to use tins and wanna keep your tea in pouches only, be sure to store them in a cool, dark, dry area free of other aromas like spices.
And remember buy sensibly to start and to your needs.
Have a question about tea storage? Reach out to me!