How To Properly Store Your Tea

You love your loose leaf tea and want to keep it fresh, but what's the best way?

The simple answer to store your teas correctly is in air-tight, non-see-through containers. They protect your tea from sunlight, heat or freezing temperatures, moisture, or any other place where there could be strong odors. Your pantry would probably work well to store your tea. It is usually cool and dark. But keep your tea away from your spices. They can develop strong smells that can be transferred to your tea, changing its flavor. You should also avoid leaving your bags or containers on your counter or in the sun.

A common mistake people make is to try and refrigerate or freeze their teas. Please don't do this. If tea is exposed to moisture or heat, it will create condensation once returned to room temperature, leading to spoilage or mold.

Tea should never be stored in plastic, paper, or see-through glass-like mason jars. Although it is beautiful to look at, tea stored in glass containers will lose freshness and flavor within days. Check to make sure the lids or seals of your non-see-through jars or containers don't have any cracks in them. We want our teas to stay fresh.

The good news is when stored correctly, your tea can have a shelf life of up to 2 years. Although tea rarely goes bad, its flavor and antioxidant levels will weaken over time, so it's best enjoyed sooner rather than later.

Here are two types of air-tight canisters I sell in my store.

If you're looking for nice teas to enjoy during the warm weather, check out my Summer Favorites. These teas are excellent hot or cold, and since you now know how to store them properly, you can buy with confidence knowing your tea will stay fresh.