Storage of the broth
Consider the question of how much to keep the brewed chamomile.
To make the right decoction, 1 tbsp. l. dried inflorescences are poured with 1 tbsp. (200 ml) boiling water, cover and leave for 5 - 7 minutes. Then it is filtered and drunk instead of tea to boost immunity. Chamomile tea with dried acacia flowers tastes better.
Store the chamomile infusion in the same way as the decoction in the refrigerator. If the broth retains its quality for 2 - 3 days, then the infusion - much longer.
So, the shelf life of chamomile in dry form is quite long, but if it is already brewed or used as an infusion, then the shelf life is significantly reduced.
Now you know how to store chamomile at home. But remember that you cannot prescribe herbal treatment on your own. In order not to get the opposite effect, you must first consult with your doctor.
How to dry
After collecting, the raw materials are sorted and sent for drying. To do this, it is good to use a special cabinet with a thermostat.
Drying of chamomile pharmacy should take place at a temperature of + 45 ° C in a dryer or in natural conditions. For drying, an attic or a canopy on the street is suitable. The rays of the sun should not be allowed to fall on the flowers. This will destroy the essential oils and lead to a loss in the quality of the raw materials.
Inflorescences are placed in a thin layer on a stretched mesh with fine cells or on a large sheet of cardboard. The main thing is to provide good ventilation.
It is also important that there are no sources of strong odor and dampness nearby.
Raw materials are gently mixed to dry evenly. If it occurs naturally, it will take about 2 weeks.
You can understand that chamomile is sufficiently dried by the rather hard-to-touch cores, strong smell and color, darker than that of fresh inflorescences
It is also important not to dry out the flowers. If the underdried raw materials soon become rotten, then the overdried raw materials will crumble in the hands.
Individual storage features of different types
The storage of certain types of tea requires special conditions.
- for green, white and yellow teas, you need to maintain the temperature slightly below room temperature, it is better to put them in the freezer, where it is about minus 18 degrees. But it can be a little warmer;
- for light oolongs (Teguanyin, milk), a refrigerator is also suitable, for dark ones (Feng Huang Dan Tsun, Da Hong Pao) - ordinary storage at room temperature;
- Chinese red tea, and according to the European classification black (Yixing Hong Cha, Dian Hong Jin Hao) and pu-erh tea can be stored in an ordinary cabinet, on a shelf or in a pantry, they are not demanding on the level of heat and tightness of the package.
It should be noted that oolongs are quite fragile, it is better not to put anything on top of the packaging and store them only in a solid container. To keep the Guangdong and Wuyishan varieties, you need to choose the most sealed containers. The Shengs, on the other hand, are sensitive to dry air. It is recommended to turn on a humidifier in the room with it at a moderate power and maintain a humidity level of at least 20-30%.
Maintaining the unique characteristics of each variety requires adherence to general storage conditions. They relate to the level of humidity and temperature in the room, the tightness of the packaging, and the protection from light. Some teas are less sensitive to storage parameters, while others require a special atmosphere.
This can come in handy: How to store coffee beans and ground coffee.
If the tea still goes bad
If tea still has lost its properties: it has changed color, smell or taste, do 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 as a deodorizer.
Due to the ability of tea leaves to absorb odors, they get rid of unpleasant odors in cupboards, fridge and even shoes. All that is required is to scatter the leaves into fabric bags and arrange them where necessary.
Shelf life
It is not recommended to store the product for more than one and a half years. The only exceptions are pu-erh tea and yellow tea, which are now fashionable. If this period has passed, then you can use it as a deodorizer.
But already brewed tea is stored for no more than two hours. It is best to drink it immediately after preparation, since a warm tea drink is an excellent breeding ground for various microorganisms. For long-term storage, it is better to put it in the refrigerator.
Jars and utensils for storing tea at home
The choice of a suitable container will be the key to effective storage of tea bags or leaf versions.
What is important to pay attention to:
- The size,
- Light transmission
- Tightness,
- Material.
When answering the question, in which dish is it better to store tea, it is worth pointing out that porcelain, ceramics, glass and tin tubes are suitable for this. Such a container will provide excellent storage conditions, which will help the leaves of black, green, white, red and any other tea variety to retain their properties.
The most suitable tableware options for storing tea are ceramic cans and cans. They do not allow light to pass through, they usually have good tightness - what is needed for proper storage.
If you will be using a drawer for storage, rather than open shelves, then glass jars will work. Make sure that their lid fits snugly against the jar itself and does not allow air to pass 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.
Tissue, paper and cardboard boxes and containers should be avoided. Usually, they are the second packaging in which manufacturers ship their products. In addition to it, you will definitely find an airtight foil package inside. After opening it, pour the tea into a more suitable container.
A black tea carton, Chinese tea plastic containers, paper, cloth, and loose tea cartons are poor options. For them, you need to carefully choose the storage location. But this option may be suitable if you plan to consume the drink within a month.
Can tea be stored in a tin can?
You can store tea in a tin can, provided that it is sufficiently tight. In addition, it is easier to pick up and buy such a jar than other types of storage utensils.
Can tea be stored in a glass jar?
Storing tea in a glass jar is possible only if two conditions are met:
- Firstly, the lid fits snugly against the vessel, which creates a tight seal.
- 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 the summer and other additives are also recommended to be kept in an airtight container. Also, moisture and lack of sunlight are important for them. But if you are an amateur and use them very often, then do not worry, they will not deteriorate even in cardboard boxes.
Terms and conditions of tea storage
The shorter the shelf life of a tea brew, the more carefully the storage conditions are selected. Do not keep the package open. The product exhales, moisture and microbes get into it. Drying threatens brittleness, the sheets turn into dust.
Storage requirements:
Do not keep the tea leaves next to aromatic spices. Good neighbors - sealed coffee, herbal preparations. Pasta and cereals are suitable. They are also afraid of moisture. You can allocate a separate locker for all this.
In sachets
Drinks in bags have the longest shelf life. Tea is stored for up to three years, sometimes manufacturers indicate the conditions of detention.Why such a timeframe? It's simple - waste, low-grade raw materials are used. It is often masked with dried fruits and other additives. It makes no sense to preserve natural substances, try to preserve the original taste, which is not in the dust.
Sheet
Loose product is valued more than sachets. Modern people use it less often, since they require the utensils for brewing. In an office environment, the rhythm of life, there is no way to use it, to waste time washing dishes. Even a child can handle brewing bags. But true connoisseurs prefer leaf tea.
The average shelf life of leaf welding in cans and paper packs is 12 months. With additional protection, the packaging reaches two years. In a vacuum for 3-4 years.
Several storage rules
Rule 1. Do not touch tea with your hands.
It must be admitted that most often the hands in the kitchen smell of other products, so it is better to avoid direct contact with tea so that it does not absorb the aroma. And even if there was no contact with other products, then there may be traces of fat or sweat on the hands, which can also easily transfer to tea leaves. For transferring, it is better to use a clean spoon, spatula, or simply do it by weight.
Rule 2. Do not tamp the tea.
Under pressure, the leaves can be damaged - this will lead to faster weathering of the tea due to the timely release of enzymes and aroma. The taste will change, and not for the better.
Tea bags also require a special storage box.
Rule 3. Fresh tea will be stored best.
Therefore, even when buying, you need to pay attention to the date of assembly of the leaves. Here you need to be careful: not packing, packaging, but collecting! There are often cases when several months pass between collection and packaging: such tea, of course, has a less intense taste.
Rule 4 Each grade has its own capacity.
If one tea is over, then there is a great temptation to pour another variety there. It is undesirable to do this because of the mixing of aromas, due to which the drink will be impossible to drink.
Rule 5. The breadbox is not for bread.
The Internet is replete with reports that tea is very convenient to store in an ordinary wooden bread bin - a special atmosphere is created there, and the product will stay fresh longer. Of course, you should not lay out tea in bulk - you can fold boxes and jars for storage.
Rule 6. Green tea requires strict tightness.
You can try to play the magician and make a rather mediocre red from delicious green tea. But it is better not to bring the leaves to such a process, and for this you just need to store the tea in an airtight package.
And a few more secrets for handling leaflets:
Secret 1.
Nice containers made of clay or porcelain for storing tea can also serve as an additional decor for the kitchen.
The main thing is not to keep them near the stove or in direct sunlight. But the far corner of a shelf or table is a great place to please the eye, create a cozy atmosphere and protect the leaves from moisture and light.
Secret 2.
Sometimes it is difficult to find storage capacities that meet all the requirements. In this case, it is worth contacting specialized tea shops - there is a large selection of the right containers. The ideal option would be a ceramic container, which is complemented by a lid with a silicone layer - so the air simply has no chance of getting inside.
Secret 3.
To get a really tasty tea, you should take a closer look at the store. If the assortment is constantly being bought up and updated, then it will be difficult to acquire stale tea. But if the packs on the window stand for months, then instead of tea there is a risk of buying dried herb without smell and taste. Moreover, you should avoid outlets where tea is next to household chemicals or strongly smelling products, for example, fish.
Procurement of raw materials
In order not to confuse pharmaceutical chamomile and an ordinary wild flower, you need to understand the structure of its bud.The core of the medicinal plant has a cavity inside, which is clearly visible when it is cut into two parts. It is more massive and convex than that of other types of chamomile, and the petals are rather short. In this case, the size of the inflorescence is 1.5 - 2.5 cm. The aroma of such a flower has honey notes, and the leaves are cut in shape.
You can find this plant everywhere, but for harvesting, you should choose places with a favorable ecology. You cannot collect these flowers in places where household waste is disposed of, near railways, highways, etc.
Chamomile should be harvested in June - August, when it contains the maximum amount of medicinal substances. The best time for this is considered a clear morning, when the night dew dries up. Flowers should be cut with a sharp knife or scissors, removing only the inflorescences, without the stem and leaves. The cut point from the bud should not be more than 3 cm.
In those cases when leaves with chamomile stems are also required (they take baths with them, use them for compresses, etc.), the cut point can be 30 cm from the bud.
The green twigs of the plant must be removed from different bushes. Then they will have the opportunity to recover.
Only if the above conditions are met, one can expect that the quality of raw materials will be good.
Terms and conditions of storage of different types of tea
Storing tea at home, even if you follow all the rules, cannot last longer than 1, 5 years. The exception here is green tea (several varieties) and Puer, which has been gaining popularity in recent years. These types of drink only improve their qualities over time.
Tea leaves are afraid of the sun and other sources of bright light. Therefore, they are kept in the dark, preferably in a ceramic container or in an opaque glass jar.
- The storage of black tea in the kitchen can last for 1 year if it is packed in a factory way. When the integrity of the packaging has already been broken, the shelf life of black tea is 2 months. But it will also depend on the conditions in which it is kept, and in what container. The shelf life of tea bags is about six months.
- The shelf life of green tea is about 12 months in packaged leaf form, and 6 months in packaged form. When brewed, it retains its flavor for 12 hours if kept in the cold.
- Hibiscus leaf tea with a sour taste can be stored for about 2 years if packed in the factory.
- White tea, which grows mainly in China, has been considered a healing drink since ancient times. It can be stored for about six months, after which it will lose its taste, medicinal properties and aroma. A stale or inferior product when brewed is absolutely paperless. Therefore, it is consumed no later than 6 months. from the moment of collection.
- The yellow drink from Egypt can be stored for up to 5 years in a pencil case or cabinet in the kitchen, in an airtight package. But when it has already been opened, the product begins to actively absorb all surrounding odors. Therefore, you cannot use perfumery or keep substances with a pronounced smell near it.
- Ivan - factory-packed tea has a short shelf life. Therefore, after it is purchased, it is poured into a glass container, hermetically closed with a lid, and kept in a dark, dry place. In a cool place the shelf life of Ivan - tea will last longer than 2 years. If the herbs were harvested on their own, you can start using them as early as 4 - 5 weeks after harvesting. At this time, the drink acquires a good taste and medicinal properties.
GOST for tea products
Tea and tea products are considered inGOST 32593-2013. It is in this act that the main characteristics of tea, its types, and quality indicators are contained, which include:
- Leaf appearance;
- Tea aroma;
- Taste properties of products.
Requirements apply GOST 1937-90, which contains requirements for packaging, storage and transportation rules for long black tea. According to this act, the shelf life for such tea products is 8 months from the date of packaging.
Green tea requirements set GOST 3716-90. According to this regulatory act, the storage time for tea products should not exceed 12 months.
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How to properly collect and prepare currant leaves for long-term storage?
A greater accumulation of nutrients in currants occurs during the flowering period. Shrubs to be harvested should not be treated with chemicals. Collect raw materials without visible signs of damage, wilting, in dry weather, after complete, natural drying of dew. Young shoots are plucked, since they do not have visible signs of damage by insects, diseases. Foliage is harvested in the period May-June, morning hours are chosen from 10.00-12.00.
Before being sent for storage, the leaves of the plant are dried. They are not washed beforehand, as the product will become moldy later on. You can remove dust from the surface with a soft dry cloth. There are three ways to prepare currant leaves for storage.
In vivo
Use a baking sheet or cardboard box to dry. Cover the bottom with a piece of clean cloth or paper. The use of printed materials is not recommended as the ink will stain. The raw materials are laid out in one layer, the container is removed to a warm place with good ventilation. Optimally use a balcony, window sill or attic. Cover the top with a dry, clean cloth. Protect from sunlight. The optimum humidity level in the room should be 65%.
In the oven
The oven method will help to shorten the drying process. Young shoots are washed and dried well. Spread the leaves on a baking sheet in one layer. If you plan to use raw materials as aromatic tea, the leaves are folded 2-3 pieces into a tube. Then the semi-finished products are left overnight, covered with wet wipes. In the morning, the product is cut and sent to an oven preheated to 80 degrees.
An hour later, check the readiness level. If moisture residues are found, continue to dry the leaves.
It is important to provide oxygen access during drying. To do this, open the oven door
Fermentation
The process helps to preserve the maximum of useful elements in the plant. The taste of currant tea resembles a classic black drink, but with a greater amount of usefulness. The collected raw materials are laid out on a flat surface in one layer. Leave for 12 hours so that the leaves become more elastic and softer. Readiness is checked by folding the sheet - the absence of a characteristic crunch indicates the readiness of the product.
Raw materials are harvested in several ways. Twist up to 7 elements into a tube, then cut. Blanks for large-leaf tea are simply crumpled by hand. For the granular version, scroll them through a meat grinder. The resulting product is placed in a glass container, covered with a towel, left to ferment for 5-9 hours. When a fruity smell appears, the workpiece is sent to an oven preheated to 100 degrees. After 30 minutes, the contents of the baking sheet are stirred, left for another 30-60 minutes.
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Watch the video to learn more about the nuances of drying mint:
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Compost - rotted organic residues of various origins. How to do it? Everything is stacked in a heap, a hole or a large box: kitchen leftovers, tops of garden crops, weeds mown before flowering, thin twigs. All this is interlayered with phosphate rock, sometimes with straw, earth or peat. (Some summer residents add special composting accelerators.) Cover with foil.In the process of overheating, the pile is periodically ted up or pierced for the flow of fresh air. Usually compost “matures” for 2 years, but with modern additives it can be ready in one summer season.
Does tea have an expiration date
Each package with tea leaves or sachets must have an expiration date. It may not be available when buying loose tea. Some manufacturers deliberately extend the storage period so that expired products are not returned to the factory.
In fact, this product cannot be stored for a long time. He loses etheric compounds. A drink made from stale raw materials has a bitterness, a herbaceous aftertaste, it certainly does not raise the mood. In some species, harmful compounds are formed. Only Chinese pu-erh has no expiration date. On the contrary, he needs to mature.
The shelf life of common teas is from 5 to 12 months. Pressed tea has a longer shelf life, in a vacuum, the brew will retain its properties up to 2-3 years, the same number of packaged varieties, herbal teas. The printed tea with pieces of natural fruits, berries, essential oils is stored for up to six months.
What kind of tea do you drink?
In bags
How much can be stored according to GOST
There are three GOST standards for tea products. First number 1937-90. It is designed for black baikhovy varieties. The official documentation specifies storage conditions, permissible impurities, additives. The shelf life of loose and granulated teas is 8 months.
The second GOST №32593-2013 is applicable to the main types of tea products. It contains grades and brief characteristics, permissible impurity rates. State standard No. 3716-90 has been developed for green species. The shelf life according to these documents is 12 months.
Why is it necessary to store tea in a special way?
I must say frankly, tea is most often used not because of its usefulness, but because of its interesting taste and smell, which is special for each variety. But tea leaves can absorb moisture from the air, which leads to a distortion of individual characteristics, and then to spoilage of the entire product.
Moisture is the main tea drink. But different varieties react differently to an increase in humidity. So, the ability to absorb moisture is highest in black and pressed teas, and green and loose teas are less susceptible to moisture. In addition, high and expensive varieties remain relatively safe: the better the integrity and curl of the leaf is preserved, the less moisture it will absorb.
For example, normally black tea contains up to 7% water, and green tea contains up to 5%. As soon as the moisture level rises to 8%, the tea oxidizes and begins to lose its taste and smell.
In addition to moisture, tea leaves are also able to absorb the aromas that surround them.
If stored improperly, tea will acquire the smell of those products that surround it - for this reason, it is important to observe the tightness of the package.
Interesting: Tea tasting or how to taste your favorite drink correctly: we consider in order
Strong odor protection
Tea is very vulnerable to strong aromas, as the tea leaf absorbs odors very well. Sometimes, this is useful in the production of certain varieties - for example, green tea Jasmine Dragon Pearl, the leaves of which are very easily and quickly saturated with the scent of jasmine flowers. But this also means creating special storage conditions at home - containers of tea should not be kept near sources of strong odors, such as refrigerators, cooking stoves, garbage cans and other strong-smelling places. And, of course, it is absolutely unacceptable to keep tea leaves in the same spice cabinet.
Common mistakes
Error 1.
On display cases, you can often find a variety of tea sets in glass jars or, even worse, plastic containers. Such sets look gorgeous - you can immediately see beautiful and diverse ones.A true connoisseur will always pass by, because it is not known how much this tea costs under the bright lamps of the store and whether it has lost its properties.
Mistake 2.
Freezer storage. Indeed, such advice can often be found on the Internet, but the features are not always mentioned. Small portions of tea, which are quickly consumed, can indeed be stored in the freezer - this way the tea gives off its aroma better, and the drink turns out to be richer. But it is not worth sending large stocks for long-term storage to the freezer, since this will wear out faster from this.
Mistake 3.
Wooden chests with full decoration. A new trend in tea storage is wooden boxes. Most often, they are chosen only for their appearance, which is completely wrong. Even the type of wood is important here: larch is the best option. All wood finishes should be avoided if there is no desire to drink tea impregnated with a synthetic scent of paint or varnish.
Preservation and sterilization are classic ways of long-term storage
Fresh birch trees are stored for a short time without preservation and can be easily processed.
At home, for long-term storage, two methods of storing birch sap are most often used: sterilization and subsequent conservation.
Canning birch sap is a good way to prepare a product for the winter. The process consists of the following steps:
- Sterilize containers, prepare iron lids for rolling.
- Heat the birch wood to 80⁰С.
- Pour the drink into prepared sterilized jars, trying to fill the entire space.
- Sterilize in a water bath for 30 minutes, roll up with an iron lid.
- The product preserved in this way can be stored in the basement / cellar for up to six months.
Subsequently use as a drink or base when mixing complex drinks.
There is another way to harvest birch wood - evaporation. In this case, you need to take 10 liters. birch water and heat for a long time at a temperature of 60⁰С. The mass should evaporate in volume up to 25%. It turns out 2.5 liters. caramel-colored liquids. It needs to be rolled up under the iron covers. When consumed, this juice is diluted ⅔ with water.
There are many other recipes and ways you can make a drink from birch sap. For this, all kinds of delicious additives are used.
Shelf life and storage characteristics of different varieties
Flour of different types differs in composition. Several factors affect the duration of its storage:
- quality and degree of grinding;
- package;
- chemical composition;
- temperature and humidity level;
- presence of foreign odors;
- ventilation.
1 year
Under certain conditions, some varieties can be stored for up to a year.
Wheat premium
The shelf life of premium flour is about 12 months. Temperature from 5 to 15 ⁰С, humidity about 70% and absence of foreign odors are optimal conditions for storage. After purchase, it should be poured into a suitable container.
Bird cherry
Flour with chocolate and cherry aroma is made from bird cherry berries. It gives confectionery a bittersweet taste. When stored in a tightly closed glass jar under room conditions, the beneficial properties do not change throughout the year. Later the quality decreases, a purely bitter taste appears.
Coconut
Coconut flour is rich in fiber, gluten free. If the purchased product has a uniform light color, friable consistency without lumps, its quality is high. When stored in a dry, dark, cool place in a securely closing container, its properties are retained for a year.
10 months
Even under ideal external conditions, there are varieties and species that do not store for more than 8-10 months.
Pea
When buying flour, pay attention to its color and texture. It should be light, without lumps and dots.
Pea does not like moisture and bright lighting. It is stored at 25 ° C and 70% humidity in fabric bags.
Linseed
To avoid oxidation at high temperatures, flaxseed flour is stored in the refrigerator at + 4-10 ° C. To do this, it is necessary to place the vacuum packaging with the product on its top shelf or in the door.
3> Six months
Most of the varieties are stored for up to six months.
Wheat of the first grade
This flour is obtained as a result of milling soft wheat, contains less starch and more protein than the premium grade. Store it in an airtight container under room conditions or in a refrigerator.
Rye
Rye flour is packaged in cloth bags, glass or plastic containers, where it is kept at normal room temperature and moderate humidity (up to 70%).
Pancake
The pancake differs from the usual wheat one in its composition. In addition to the main ingredient, it includes egg powder, sugar, baking powder, milk powder, salt. It is not stored for more than six months.
Buckwheat
Buckwheat flour is produced in two types - dark and light. Their chemical composition is the same, the popularity of the second is higher due to its more aesthetic appearance. The product is stored in a refrigerator or in a dry place, in a closed container under the same conditions as for a pancake.
Oatmeal
It is obtained by grinding oat grains, which are pre-steamed, dried, fried and cleaned. The storage room should be well ventilated, the temperature should not exceed +20 ⁰С, humidity - up to 75%. Paper packaging is chosen as “breathable”.
Pumpkin
Flour is prized for its medicinal properties. Used for baking, breading. Store it at moderate humidity (60%) in its original packaging. The temperature should be within the range from +5 ⁰С to +15 ⁰С.
Rice
Fine flour is considered to be of high quality, with a homogeneous consistency, without lumps or smell. Rice is stored in a glass sealed container. Room temperature - 5-15 ⁰С, humidity - 60%.
Barley
A delicate porridge is made from barley flour. Delicious bread is obtained by mixing it with wheat and rye. It is recommended to store the product in tin boxes or glass cans at temperatures up to +18 ⁰С and moderate humidity - 60%.
2-3 months
Housewives should be aware that some types of flour, due to their chemical composition, have a short shelf life (no more than 3 months).
Whole wheat wheat
The shelf life of such flour is limited, since it contains all parts of the grain that contain oils. They can oxidize and turn rancid. The conditions of detention are the same as for the premium class.
Corn
Finely ground corn is suitable for consumption for no more than 3 months. It is recommended to keep flour in the refrigerator in any tightly closed container. Cloth or glass containers are preferable to plastic ones. Storage conditions: temperature - 5-15 ⁰С, humidity - 60%.
Almond
Almond flour is a source of vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects cells in the body from free radicals. It is stored under normal room conditions, in a dry, dark place, in a glass container.
Ideal picking time for raw materials
How and when to collect, as well as how to properly dry chamomile yourself? Let's talk about the drying technology and the little secrets used when harvesting plants.
The ideal period for collecting chamomile officinalis is from the second half of June to the beginning of September.
The place of collection is chosen environmentally friendly, away from industrial enterprises, landfills, cemeteries, railways and highways, since this flower is able to absorb harmful substances that surround it both through the air and through the soil.
Time to hike chamomile also matters. Better to go at noon or after lunch, when the dew has already dried on the leaves. It is not recommended to follow the plant on a rainy day; it will be unsuitable to dry it later. Choose a dry and sunny day. Under such conditions, harvesting chamomile then it will be easier to dry it. Be sure to bring a bucket or large, heavy bag, and scissors. It is more convenient for them to cut the grass, which we will then dry.The stem of the chamomile is quite dense and it is inconvenient to pick it off with your hands. In addition, you can accidentally pull out the flower along with the root.
Did you know how to pick chamomile correctly?
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We choose only high-quality raw materials for drying. Unbroken buds, withered and dried up are discarded
Pay attention to the absence of bugs and other insects on the flowers. The leaves of the plant should be fresh, young and healthy - green in color, without yellowness and dark spots
It is necessary to dry the plants immediately after collection.
Recommendations for choosing a location
It is necessary to store flour in dry condition, where there are no temperature fluctuations and the optimal parameters are observed. For this purpose, pantries, built-in pencil cases or shelves in kitchen cabinets, mezzanines are most suitable.
Pantry
A cool pantry with no sunlight penetrating is ideal for storing flour. The product is placed on the shelves in canvas bags, in glass jars.
Refrigerator shelf
Storing on a refrigerator shelf increases the shelf life of flour. It is poured into containers made of glass or plastic, tightly closed with lids. The disadvantage is the impossibility of placing a large number of containers in the refrigerator.
Balcony or loggia
In winter, during frosts, flour can be stored in containers on the loggia or balcony. The option is not considered the most successful, because with such storage the temperature differences are large, there is no air access and the product "does not breathe".
Kitchen pencil case
In small kitchens, where there is always not enough space, it is convenient to arrange the containers with flour in cabinets-cases. Product packages can be folded compactly. Thanks to the flat lids of the containers, they are stacked on top of each other and significantly save space.
Bottom shelves of kitchen cabinets
On the lower shelves of kitchen cabinets, the temperature is slightly lower than on the upper ones. This is especially noticeable when the cabinet is located next to the hob. Therefore, the lower shelves are more suitable for bulk products.
What factors affect the preservation of tea?
Consider only those factors that have the strongest influence on the tea leaf.
What affects the storage of tea
Air humidity
A very significant factor! A high value or strong fluctuations in humidity make the 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 happens whenever the ambient humidity is greater than the relative water content of the dry leaf. Humidity, especially in combination with high temperatures, provokes the rapid development of microorganisms and mold. The photo below demonstrates this well.
High humidity caused the appearance of mold on tea
Exposure to sunlight
Sunlight, whether direct or scattered from the window, activates enzymes or enzymes that accelerate the oxidation process (tea production technology), destroys the pigments of the tea leaf. As a result, the dry leaf turns yellow quickly, the aroma of freshly brewed tea is muffled, the color of the infusion turns from pale green to painful yellow for green teas.
Temperature
What do you think is the cause of spoilage of any product, which is undoubtedly tea? These are bacteria, molds 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 can this be achieved? Those who remember school physics know that the lower the temperature, the slower the vital processes of microorganisms. For this reason, we store most of the products in the refrigerator or freezer, significantly increasing their shelf life. The same rules apply to the correct storage of tea, at high temperatures it deteriorates much faster than at low temperatures.
Strong odors at the storage location
Tea is an excellent absorbent of ambient odors, i.e.perfectly absorbs "foreign" aromas. What does it mean? Try putting the tea in a spice box and brewing it in just a few days! The result will be spoiled tea, namely the smell of a dry leaf and the aroma of the infusion borrows the strong smell of the environment. Have you tried “fish-smelling pu-erh”?
Oxygen contact
Oxygen is an essential element of the oxidation process, and tea has something to oxidize. These are polyphenols, which are of no benefit when oxidized. At the same time, in unoxidized form, they are excellent antioxidants, which are the secret of youth and beauty about which the packaging of branded drinks is so chanting. With prolonged contact of oxygen with tea, most of the polyphenols are destroyed, tea loses its anti-aging properties.
“You have cited a lot of factors here, which seem to be not very easy to observe. How to ensure the safety of tea at home? "