Gourmet Teas

Tea Storage

Tea tends to lose flavor and effectiveness after some time. Normally, black tea is good for two years while green, white and other more delicate teas will only last a year. There are some very delicate types of teas with a shelf life of only a few months.

Storing tea under the correct conditions extends the shelf life of all teas. The most important factors in storing tea are light, moisture, heat and air. Consult the package of tea to find out what those factors are and how to keep your tea fresh as long as possible, or consult with a tea expert at your local supplier of great gourmet teas.

Light is one of the most important factors to keeping tea fresh. Tea needs to be stored in a dark area. UV waves naturally break down tea and so it looses color and flavor. Clear glass jars stored in a dark cupboard are suitable for storage to retain the fresh flavor of the tea, and dark airtight jars are even better. Tea is beautiful, but do not put it out for everyone to see under glass.

Another considerable factor is air. Tea benefits from storage in an airtight container. Contact with the air causes tea to oxidize even if it has already gone through oxidation. This is especially true with green tea because it is steamed. Air contact affects the flavor of tea, making it fade quickly. Plastic bags are not suitable for storage of tea. Do not use plastic containers either because they retain the smell from what ever was in them before.

Heat affects tea storage. Heat tends to bring out the oils from the tea. Therefore, do not store near a stove or where full sunlight hits the kitchen cupboards. Heat above 85 degrees Fahrenheit can cause tea to mold or become flavorless. Put in a cool location

Humidity is the worst culprit for tea spoilage. Those living in humid conditions will find it very hard to protect tea from humid conditions. Some people use desiccants in a jar with the tea, but this is not a good thing to do. Desiccants contain chemicals that are harmful to humans and can make some people sick. Open the container just long enough to get the proper amount of tea out and close it back up immediately. It is fine to buy large amounts of favorite tea leaves but store most in a jar that is not opened regularly, and a smaller amount of tea for daily use in another jar altogether.

Many people store tea in the freezer or refrigerator, but this only makes tea disintegrate faster. The refrigerator is dark and it is cool but it is also moist. Moisture ruins tea very quickly. Once the tea leaves start to thaw water will condense and make them moist. Infiltration of odors from other foods is also a possibility when placed in the freezer. All these factors may contribute to the growth of mold on the tea leaves. A few green teas are safe to put in a refrigerator, but use them quickly once opened.