How to Properly Store Tea
A delicious cup of tea is more than a beverage; it’s a sensory experience that can be significantly impacted by how well it is stored. In order to appreciate the diverse world of tea, from the robust notes of black tea to the delicate undertones of white tea, it’s essential to understand the specific storage needs of each type. This guide will walk you through the various types of tea and the best practices for storing each of them, ensuring every cup you brew is delicious!
Understanding the Types of Tea
In order to determine how to properly store tea, we first have to understand how the type of tea affects its shelf life and storage needs. Since each type of tea has its own unique set of characteristics, they also have their own unique requirements for ensuring longevity.
Black Tea
Black tea is known for its robust flavors and dark color, which stem from the full oxidation process that black tea undergoes. Generally, black tea has a longer shelf life compared to other types of tea and can last up to three years if stored properly. However, it can lose its flavor and aroma over time if exposed to air, moisture, or light.
Our favorite black teas: 901 of a Kind Coconut, Georgia Sunshine
Green Tea
Made from unoxidized leaves, green tea is known for its fresh, grassy flavor. Its delicate nature means it can go stale quickly, often within six months to a year. Proper storage is crucial to preserve its flavors and health benefits, and green tea is sensitive to temperature, humidity, and light.
Our favorite green teas: Mango Tango Green, Riverboat Queen Strawberry Green
Herbal Tea
Herbal teas vary greatly in their storage needs due to the variety of herbs, flowers, and fruits they’re made from. While generally less sensitive than green teas, they require proper storage to maintain their flavor.
Our favorite herbal teas: Organic Peppermint, Organic Chamomile
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is partially oxidized, which gives it a unique profile that falls between black and green teas. The complexity of it requires careful storage to maintain its nuanced flavors. Despite this, oolong teas can last up to a year or more but must be kept in ideal conditions.
Our favorite oolong teas: Lemon Ginger Oolong, Formosa Oolong
White Tea
White tea is the least processed of all teas and has a relatively long shelf life, often up to 2 years. However, its light nature makes it particularly vulnerable to changes in its environment.
Our favorite white tea: White Peach
Ideal Storage Conditions for Tea
In order to ensure your tea stays fresh and aromatic, you need to be aware of the ideal storage conditions for tea. There are four common storage containers - opaque containers, tin cans, glass jars, and vacuum-sealed bags.
Opaque Containers
Opaque containers are a popular choice for storing tea because they block light from reaching the leaves and are often airtight. Canisters made from materials like ceramic, metal, or thick plastic are fantastic choices that do not interact with the tea’s flavor. Regardless of the opaque container you choose, ensure it has a secure seal to keep air and moisture out.
Tins
Tins are an excellent option for storing tea. We even use them as the main container for our loose leaf teas! They come in various sizes and are often designed specifically for tea storage, making them a really convenient choice.
Glass Jars
While glass jars are transparent, they can still be used to store tea if kept in a dark cabinet or cupboard. Glass jars are easy to clean and do not impart any flavors to the tea, but they must be tightly sealed to prevent exposure to air and moisture.
Vacuum-Sealed Bags
If you’re storing tea for the long-term, vacuum-sealed bags are highly effective for keeping the flavor and aromatics high-quality. By removing air from the packaging, these bags help prevent oxidation and keep tea fresh for extended periods. Vacuum-sealed bags are particularly useful for bulk tea purchases and storing tea that is not frequently used.
Storing Loose Leaf Tea vs Tea Bags
There are two main types of tea you can purchase - loose leaf tea or tea bags.
Loose Leaf Tea
Loose leaf tea generally requires more careful storage than tea bags. Since tea leaves have a larger surface area, it makes them more susceptible to changes in air, moisture, and light. In order to keep loose leaf tea fresh, always use airtight containers and store them in a cool, dry, and dark place. Make sure the container is clean and cry before adding the tea to avoid contamination and altering taste.
Tea Bags
Tea bags are less sensitive to storage conditions than loose leaf tea but still benefit from proper storage. In general, you should keep tea bags in a dry, cool place to maintain their quality. If tea bags are stored in a box, ensure the box is sealed tightly to protect the tea from moisture and odors. If you are storing long-term, consider transferring the tea bags themselves to an airtight container.
If you’re wondering whether loose leaf tea or tea bags are right for you, visit our blog “Loose Leaf Tea vs Multi-Use Tea Bags: Which Type is Right For Me?”
Tips for Long-Term Tea Storage
While you should try not to purchase too much tea at one time due to the possibility of negative effects, there are times when bulk purchases make more sense. Here are a few tips for long-term tea storage.
Repackaging
If you have a large quantity of tea, consider repackaging it into smaller, airtight containers. This minimizes the amount of tea exposed to air, moisture, and light each time you open a container, helping to preserve its freshness.
Check Expiration Dates
It’s important to get into the habit of checking expiration dates on your tea and using it before it reaches the best-before date. While tea is usually safe to drink after this date, its flavor and aroma may not be as vibrant.
Shop My Cup of Tea
By grasping the unique storage requirements of different tea types and implementing effective storage strategies, you can ensure that each cup of tea you brew is fresh and full of flavor. At My Cup of Tea, we offer everything from two serving tea packages to loose leaf tea packaged in a tin can. There's something for everyone!
My Cup of Tea is a non-profit in Memphis, TN that serves as an office, packing hub, retail store, and place of refuge for the women of Orange Mound. Our mission is to provide women in our community with the tools they need to thrive. We import the highest quality tea from tea estates and gardens in the Far East where they are weighed, re-formatted, and packaged for sale by the women who work here. Your purchase of our teas or other products opens a pathway for positive change and upward mobility for the courageous women who create them. Learn more about our story here.