How should tea be stored at home?
Often when visiting friends and asking for a cup of tea the following happens. Your friend reaches above his or her stove into a cabinet and pulls out an unsealed tea bag out of an open paper box. Some unfortunate things happen in this scenario. Tea, like spices, is best when fresh. Stale tea looses much of the magic. Tea is particularly susceptible to oxygen, smoke, light, and moisture. As a result, over the stove is perhaps one of the worst places to store tea (and spices). Smoke and steam all permeate that area and if tea is not in an airtight environment, it will absorb all those flavors and moisture. Tea is able to hold onto other flavors very well, which is why there are so many flavored (and not true) teas out there. Tea must be stored correctly to maintain freshness. Excessive heat, odors, moisture, air, and light exposure can forever alter the character of your tea. An airtight container is necessary to maintain quality, and teas should be stored in a dark, odor-free, and mois
