Tea is somewhat fragile. It will go stale over time losing its aroma and taste. Start with buying tea from fine retailers who buy directly from the growers, like Teabox, or look for single estate teas. Getting it quickly from farm to table will maximize shelf life for you.
Once you get it in hand, it’s important to store it properly so you can enjoy it as long as possible. The enemies of tea are air, light, and moisture. Store your tea in a cool and dry place, in a container that is opaque and airtight. High quality tea is sold in tins or resealable non-transparent resealable bags. The bags or pouches have the advantage of allowing you to squeeze out excess air. Avoid glass jars and clear plastic bags like zip-loc bags since these allow light in. Also, keep your tea at room temperature – not in the refrigerator or freezer.
Generally speaking, the darker the tea, the longer the life. Black tea might remain relatively fresh for around two years. The more delicate green and white teas may only last a year.
Sorry, comments are closed for this post.