How to store tea
How long does your tea stay fresh? It all depends on how well you store it!
- Buy loose-leaf tea from quality vendors. A good merchant should know the origin, age, and quality of the teas they offer.
- Don't leave tea exposed to air, heat, light, or moisture.
- Store tea in opaque containers, such as tins, ceramic jars, or dark glass vessels. Avoid plastic containers, as they can absorb odors and ruin the tea's flavor. The container should be airtight; if it isn't, place the tea in a sealable bag first. Always close the container carefully to help the tea retain its freshness, flavor, and aroma for longer.
- Keep your tea tin in a dark, dry, and cool place, ideally in a pantry or kitchen cupboard. Light and moisture are tea's greatest enemies, as they activate enzymes that cause it to degrade. Don't store tea above a stove, near a heater, or in the fridge or freezer.
- Keep aromatic and flavored teas separate from plain teas. Tea absorbs odors very easily, so the aroma of a scented tea can transfer to an unflavored one.
Finally, it also depends on how long the merchant has stored the tea and how old it is when you buy it. We don't store our teas for longer than 3 months, and our manufacturers have similar lead times. This ensures that the tea you buy from us is no older than six months and will stay fresh for at least another year if stored correctly.
With proper storage, black tea can last over 5 years, green tea 2–3 years, and white tea about a year. These are rough estimates and vary from tea to tea (Pu-erh can be stored for 10 years and still be good, while Darjeeling black teas lose quality after just a year). During this time, the tea remains very good, even if some subtle qualities may gradually fade. You can easily spot stale or bad tea: it tastes bland and has a weak aroma and flavor. That's why we recommend buying tea in smaller quantities so it doesn't lose quality due to long-term storage.