In short
- Store rapé somewhere dry, dark and at room temperature.
- Not in the fridge, not in the bathroom and not in the sun.
- Always close the bottle tightly after use.
- Stored well, rapé stays good for 12 to 24 months.
- Does it smell musty or do you see mould? Then don't use it any more.
Just imagine. You open your bottle of rapé after a few months. Can you still smell that deep, earthy forest? Or does it smell duller? Does the powder still feel soft and fine? Or are there lumps in it?
The difference is often not in the rapé itself. It is in how you store it. With a few simple habits, your rapé stays fresh for a long time.
I am Kevin Lorenzini, ceremony leader and founder of Purity Healing. For about eight years I have had a bond with a Huni Kuin village in Acre, in the Brazilian Amazon. In this blog I explain how to store rapé properly.
Why freshness matters
Rapé is a natural product. There is nothing in it to make it last artificially. That is exactly what keeps it pure. But it also means: you take care of the rest.
Almost every month a new shipment arrives with us, in small batches. As soon as it is here, the rapé goes straight into a dark bottle. That way the prayers and songs stay captured in the bottle. From that moment on, freshness is in your hands.
The five enemies of rapé
- Moisture. The biggest enemy. Moisture causes lumps and can lead to mould.
- Light. Especially sunlight. That is why our rapé comes in dark glass, which blocks UV light.
- Heat. A hot spot does the scent and the character no good.
- Air. An open bottle dries out and loses its scent.
- Wet or dirty tools. A wet spoon or damp fingers bring moisture into your bottle.
How to store rapé
- Keep your rapé in the dark bottle it came in.
- Screw the cap on tightly straight after each use.
- Use a dry spoon. Never wet fingers.
- Choose a dry, dark place at room temperature.
- Keep it away from heat sources and sunlight.
The best place in your home
A drawer or cupboard in your living room or bedroom is often best. It is dry, dark and not too warm there. Preferably not:
- in the bathroom, because of the steam from the shower;
- in the kitchen next to the cooker or the kettle;
- on the windowsill, in the sun;
- on or next to the radiator.
Why not in the fridge?
It sounds logical: keep it cool. But when you take a cold bottle out of the fridge, moisture settles on it, just like on a cold glass in summer. That moisture can get into your rapé. Room temperature is better.
On the go
Taking your rapé with you? Put it in a bag, out of the sun. Never leave it in a hot car. In summer it can get very hot in there very quickly. Close the bottle tightly so nothing leaks.
How long does rapé stay good?
Stored well, rapé stays good for 12 to 24 months. Trust your nose as well. Open the bottle and smell it. Does it still smell full, earthy and lively? Then you are fine.
Do you have a large bottle and use only a little? Then a smaller amount or a sample set is sometimes handier. That way you always have fresh rapé at home.
Lumps, mould or a strange smell?
Lumps
Do you see small lumps? Then some moisture has got in. Close the bottle tightly and put it somewhere drier.
Mould or a musty smell
Do you see fluff, or white or green spots? Or does the rapé smell musty, like a damp cellar? Then don't use it any more. Not sure? Send me a message with a photo. I'll take a look with you.
Storing sample sets
In our sample sets, each blend comes in its own round tin with a screw lid. Close the lid tightly after use. Keep the tins in the same place as your bottles: dry, dark and at room temperature.
Don't forget your kuripe
Your kuripe also needs to be stored dry. Blow it clean after use. Let it dry well before you put it away. A damp kuripe can bring moisture to your rapé the next time you use it. You will find more tips in The kuripe: the rapé applicator.
Do you live in a warm or humid climate?
Our customers live all over Europe. From the Swedish winter to summer on the Mediterranean. In a warm or humid region, take extra care. In a heated home in winter the air is dry, and that is fine. In summer, and in damp places such as a cellar or a house near the coast, pay closer attention. Choose the coolest, driest cupboard in the house. Not the fridge. And close the bottle again straight away every time.
Frequently asked questions about storing rapé
What is the shelf life of rapé?
Stored well, rapé stays good for 12 to 24 months. Dry, dark, at room temperature and tightly closed.
Can rapé go in the fridge?
Preferably not. When you take a cold bottle out of the fridge, moisture can settle on it. Moisture is the biggest enemy of rapé.
Why does rapé come in a dark bottle?
Dark glass blocks UV light. That way the rapé stays fresh for longer.
What do I do if my rapé smells musty?
Then don't use it any more. Does it smell musty or do you see mould? Feel free to send me a message with a photo.
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