Baijiu, as one of the traditional Chinese drinks, has a long history and profound cultural heritage. The preservation of baijiu is crucial because its taste and aroma can be affected during prolonged storage.
In order to ensure the quality and taste of the liquor, it is necessary to pay attention to some preservation techniques, and at the same time, it is also necessary to avoid some factors that may have a negative impact on the liquor. The following are the three taboos of liquor preservation, as well as the elaboration of these issues in combination with the knowledge of liquor preservation.
1.Light Exposure:
Baijiu is very sensitive to light, and prolonged exposure to light may cause changes in the organic matter in the liquor, which in turn affects the color and taste of the liquor.
Therefore, liquor should be stored in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. Glass bottles are a good packaging option because it blocks out most of the light, but even then, liquor should be stored in a wine cooler or light-protected container to minimize the effects of light.
2.Temperature fluctuations:
The storage environment of liquor should be kept at a relatively stable temperature. Temperatures that are too high or too low can have an irreversible effect on the wine.
High temperatures can cause the organic acids in the wine to break down, resulting in off-flavors and a loss of balance. Conversely, too low a temperature may cause the liquor to crystallize, affecting the clarity and taste of the liquor. Therefore, it is best to store the liquor at a constant temperature to avoid sharp fluctuations in temperature.
3.Oxygen Contact:
Oxygen is one of the natural enemies of liquor preservation. Prolonged exposure to oxygen can cause some of the ingredients in the wine to oxidize, resulting in undesirable smells and tastes.
Therefore, when storing liquor for a long time, the air in the bottle should be minimized, either by sealing the liquor bottle, or by using a vacuum pump to pump the air out of the bottle. In addition, once the bottle is opened, it should be drunk as soon as possible, or use a professional wine gas sealer to reduce oxygen exposure.
How to properly preserve liquor:
Choose the right container: It is best to use dark glass for white wine bottles to reduce the impact of light on the liquor. The cap should be leak-proof and oxygen-proof.
Storage location: Baijiu is best stored in a lying position to keep the stopper moist and avoid air infiltration.
Temperature control: The best storage temperature for liquor is generally between 10-20 degrees Celsius, avoiding extreme environments of high and low temperatures.
Humidity management: Moderate humidity helps keep the cork tight, but too much humidity can cause the label to deform or mold.
Keep away from odors: Liquor should be kept away from items with strong odors to avoid contamination of the liquor with odors.
Drink in a short time: Once the bottle is opened, it is best to drink it in a short period of time to avoid contact with oxygen.
Under the premise of correct preservation, the taste and aroma of baijiu can be better preserved, so that the quality can be long-lasting. For those who collect baijiu, these preservation precautions are even more important, as they want to be able to taste a bottle of aged liquor with a mellow and unique aroma at some point in the future.
Therefore, whether it is daily drinking or long-term storage, it is necessary to take the preservation of liquor seriously to ensure that the liquor is always in the best quality condition.