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Text: Yanyan
Edited by Yeon-yeon
——【· Preface ·】——》
For many wine lovers, it is essential to have liquor at home. However, there's more to storing wine than just finding a place to put it.
If it is not stored properly, even the best liquor will gradually deteriorate, which will eventually affect the taste and value. Did you know that there are three places that are absolutely unsuitable for storing liquor?
No matter how much wine you have at home, if you keep it in the wrong place, you may regret it. Where exactly are these three places? Why do they have such a lethal effect on wine quality?
Mellow aroma: the charm and challenge of baijiu
Baijiu, as an important part of traditional Chinese culture, carries countless histories and emotions. It is not only a delicacy on the table, but also a medium for people to exchange feelings and express respect. However, this wonderful liquor also has its fragile side.
With the improvement of people's living standards, more and more families have begun to store various liquors, either for their own tasting or to entertain guests. However, many people make a lot of mistakes when storing baijiu, which leads to the spoilage of fine liquor or even becomes "rotten liquor".
The storage of liquor seems simple, but in fact it hides a mystery. Many factors such as temperature, light, humidity, and environment will affect the quality of baijiu.
A good bottle of wine, if stored properly, may mellow over time; Conversely, if not stored properly, even the finest wines can become inferior wines that no one cares about.
Therefore, it is essential for every liquor lover to understand and master the correct liquor storage method.
Time is like an arrow: the dilemma of liquor in the sun
Among the many factors that affect the quality of baijiu, sunlight can be described as one of the most insidious but destructive "enemies".
Many people like to place baijiu on the balcony or windowsill, thinking that it will not only decorate the room, but also allow the wine to get enough "sun". As everyone knows, this practice is precisely accelerating the deterioration process of liquor.
Intense light, especially direct sunlight, can cause oxidation of the alcohol molecules in the liquor. This reaction will not only change the color of the liquor, making it lose its original clarity and transparency, but also destroy the aroma substances in the liquor, resulting in a peculiar smell in the liquor.
In addition, light will also cause the temperature of the liquor to rise, accelerate the progress of various chemical reactions in the liquor, and further affect the quality of the liquor.
Therefore, the storage of liquor should be in an environment protected from light. If you don't have a dedicated space for wine storage in your home, you can place the liquor in a cool cupboard or wine cooler.
If you have to place liquor in an open space, you should also cover it with an opaque cloth or cardboard box to prevent direct sunlight.
Damp Fall: A storage trap in the basement
In addition to sunlight, a humid environment is also a taboo for liquor storage. Many people think that the basement is cool and protected from light, making it an ideal place to store liquor. However, most basements have varying degrees of dampness, which adds insult to injury to the storage of liquor.
A humid environment can cause mould on the outside of the bottle, especially for liquors sealed with cork, which is more susceptible. Moisture can penetrate the cork and enter the liquor, altering the flavor and mouthfeel of the liquor.
In addition, a humid environment is also prone to the growth of bacteria and mold, which can not only affect the appearance of the bottle, but can also enter the liquor through tiny gaps, causing the liquor to spoil.
Therefore, it is crucial to choose a dry, well-ventilated environment to store liquor. If you don't have ideal storage space in your home, consider using a dehumidifier or desiccant to control the humidity of your environment.
At the same time, regularly checking the sealing of wine bottles and dealing with the problems found in a timely manner are also important measures to ensure the quality of liquor.
Lost in Aroma: The Effect of Ambient Odor on Baijiu
Another overlooked problem with liquor storage is odors in the environment. Many people are accustomed to storing baijiu in the kitchen or storage room, but they don't know that these places are often filled with various odors, such as oil fumes, detergents, gasoline, etc., which may have a negative impact on the quality of baijiu.
The alcohol molecules in baijiu are very active and easily absorb odors from the surrounding environment. Even well-sealed wine bottles that have been exposed to odorous conditions for a long time may lead to the phenomenon of "cross-flavor" in liquor.
This change may not be noticeable, but for experienced wine tasters, it is easy to detect off-flavors in the wine, which can affect the tasting experience.
Therefore, when choosing an environment where liquor is stored, you should avoid areas with obvious odors. If possible, it's a good idea to have a dedicated storage space for liquor, such as a wine cabinet or wine cellar.
If you must store liquor in a normal environment, you should also try to keep it away from the source of the odor and check the seal of the bottle regularly.
Ice and Fire: The Effect of Temperature on Baijiu
Temperature is another key factor affecting the quality of baijiu. A lot of people believe that liquor can be preserved better by putting it in the refrigerator. However, this practice is not actually conducive to the storage of liquor.
Too low a temperature will inhibit the progress of various chemical reactions in the liquor and affect the natural aging process of the liquor. At the same time, the low temperature environment in the refrigerator may also lead to the analysis of certain ingredients in the liquor, forming precipitation, which affects the taste and appearance of the liquor. In addition, frequent temperature changes, such as repeated removal and insertion from the refrigerator, can also adversely affect the quality of baijiu.
Conversely, excessively high temperatures are also detrimental to the storage of liquor. High temperature will accelerate the chemical reaction in the liquor, resulting in the volatilization of alcohol, the decomposition of aroma substances, and finally the loss of the original flavor and quality of the liquor.
The ideal storage temperature of liquor should be kept between 15-20°C, and the temperature fluctuation should be controlled within 5°C as much as possible. If you don't have a constant temperature device at home, you can choose an area with a relatively stable temperature such as a basement or a room on the north side to store the liquor.
At the same time, it should be avoided to place the liquor in places with drastic temperature changes, such as heating, air conditioning outlets, or direct sunlight.
Don't be surprised when you open the bottle: the way to store liquor after opening
For liquor that has been opened, its storage method also deserves special attention. Many people are accustomed to pouring leftover baijiu back into the original bottle at will, or placing it directly on the dining table, which may lead to the deterioration of the quality of baijiu.
The liquor after opening should be sealed and stored as soon as possible. The easiest way is to tighten the cap, but it is better to use a plastic bag or plastic wrap to reseal the mouth of the bottle. This minimizes air contact with the liquor and prevents alcohol volatilization and oxidation.
For Kaifeng liquor that you do not plan to drink in the short term, you can consider using the method of "drip wax treatment". That is, seal the mouth of the bottle with hot wax to completely isolate the air. Although this method is a little tedious to operate, it is very effective in maintaining the quality of the liquor.
If the original cap is lost or damaged, consider transferring the remaining liquor to a smaller container for storage. This reduces the area of contact between the wine and the air, delaying the change in the quality of the wine.
When choosing a container, you should give preference to ceramic bottles or opaque glass bottles, and avoid ordinary plastic bottles, as plastic may react with alcohol and affect the flavor of the wine.
It should be noted that it is best to drink liquor within three months after opening, especially low-alcohol liquor. After opening, the liquor will gradually lose its original flavor and texture, and it is difficult to completely stop this process even if various preservation measures are taken.
——[· Conclusion ·] ——"
The art of liquor storage is far more complex than people think. It not only involves the control of environmental factors, but also requires an in-depth understanding of the characteristics of liquor.
The right way to store it can make a wine last for a long time, and the wrong way can spoil a wine. In this process, we should not only pay attention to avoiding light, temperature control, and moisture, but also always be alert to odors in the environment.
For the liquor after opening, it is necessary to be extra careful and take appropriate sealing measures. Only by truly mastering this knowledge can we fully enjoy the wonderful experience that baijiu brings.
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