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How to store tea leaves

When tea leaves absorb the moisture, it can cause a deterioration. Also when tea leaves are placed in the environment of high temperature, deterioration will start right away. Once you open the package, try to use them up within 1 month. Keep the tea leaves in the small (less than 100g) jar or can. Keep tea away from the heat or steam and avoid direct sun. How about keeping them in the refrigerator or freezer? There are several things to be careful about when you keep the leaves in the refrigerator or freezer. First of all, since tea has its characteristic of absorbing other smell easily, it is important to keep them in the plastic bag and seal them tight. Secondly, when you take out the package out from the refrigerator, wait until the tea leaves are back to the room temperature before opening the plastic bag. Because of the sudden temperature change, the moisture may occur inside the bag. For you purchased a tea contains a lot of amount tea inside, do not remove them from the package, and cover the whole package with a big plastic bag. If the package is a transparent kind, remove the package, and transform them to the can or jar, and avoid direct sun or the lights. It is also recommended to ask the seller for the tips on the best way to store the leaves. And always remember to keep leaves a way from the heat, smell, light, and humidity.

(Kiyoshi Iwaasa)