The storage of tea is rooted in respect for the process of its harvesting and production. Many tea storage accessories help preserve the taste and aromas of flavoured, fruit, plain, and herbal teas by protecting them from light, ambient temperature, and air. Keeping tea fresh — whether organic, loose-leaf, or in bags — means improving its quality and paying special attention to how it is stored.
The taste and aromas of tea infusions put to the test of storage
Loose-leaf tea generally has a longer shelf life than tea bags, which contain broken leaf pieces and lose their freshness more quickly. Similarly, the large leaves of loose-leaf teas keep longer than smaller, more fragile leaves.
Tea and herbal tea, loose-leaf or in bags: perishable goods?
Like coffees, teas and herbal teas are among non-perishable products and can therefore be consumed beyond their best before date (BBD, formerly known as DLUO in France). They may nevertheless lose some of their freshness and aromas, and the leaves of loose-leaf teas can change colour. Storing and keeping your tea properly is the key to preserving its character. The more oxidised a tea is, the longer it keeps.
The impact of oxidation on the shelf life of classic teas, pu-erh tea, and matcha
The shelf life of a tea or herbal tea differs depending on its level of oxidation.
- Green teas, yellow teas (very rare), and certain oolongs are lightly oxidised. The colour of their leaves and their unique aroma can easily be affected. Their shelf life is 6 to 12 months.
- Black tea, white tea, rooibos, and several oolongs are oxidised teas and keep for approximately 18 months to three years.
- Pu-erh tea, roasted tea, and highly oxidised oolong tea have no time limit for consumption. Pu-erh teas can even improve with age, kept in a well-ventilated and dry room.
- Matcha tea should be used within 1 to 2 months of opening and preferably kept in the refrigerator.
- Herbal teas should be stored in a dry, cool place.
Storing tea and herbal tea, in bags or loose-leaf, away from environmental factors
Tea and herbal tea, and more generally all dry foods, can be subject to pests, moisture, and mould. To prevent this deterioration, tea must be protected from several elements in its environment.
- Air (oxygen) and moisture are tea's main enemies. The leaves don't deteriorate too much, but they lose their aroma. The infusion of green teas, which are more delicate, will have an altered appearance; that of black teas will be more bitter.
- Tea quickly absorbs surrounding odours; this is true both in storage and in production (jasmine tea being a prime example). Similarly, strong teas such as Earl Grey or Lapsang Souchong should be stored separately from others.
- Teas are sensitive to ambient temperature, and heat causes a loss of tea aroma. For white tea, green tea, and matcha tea, storing in a refrigerator can be an alternative, though not all refrigerators can prevent high levels of humidity.
- Any kind of light degrades tea leaves. Glass containers should therefore be avoided, even if stored in a closed cupboard.
Tips for choosing storage accessories for loose-leaf and bagged tea
Preserving the freshness of a tea means improving its quality by storing it in the right place and in a suitable container that keeps out oxygen, moisture, and light.
The best products for storing loose-leaf teas
Loose-leaf teas are ideally stored in airtight and opaque containers. The most common are metal storage tins with double lids, as well as ceramic jars. Choosing a container suited to the quantity of tea allows you to fill it while leaving a minimum of air.
When purchasing a larger quantity, you can fill a small tin and keep the rest of the tea in its original packaging, removing the air and storing it in a larger container. Storage tins designed for tea are also used for ground or whole-bean coffee. In addition to metal tins, purple clay pots are also popular for the long-term storage of oxidised teas, pu-erh, and heavily oxidised oolongs.
Storing tea bags
The best conditions for storing tea bags are the same as those for loose-leaf tea: protecting them from air, moisture, heat, and odours. If you have different types of tea bags, it is advisable not to store them together so that aromas and flavours do not mix, except for lightly scented teas or a limited number of varieties. Tea bags sold in cardboard packaging should preferably be transferred to an airtight, opaque container. They can also be stored in a tea drawer or cupboard.
The storage and preparation of tea are intimately linked. Choosing a quality product, preferably organic, and appropriate containers to preserve it, following consumption timelines, and taking care with infusions by selecting a suitable teapot and respecting the quantity and temperature of water — these are our tips for enjoying the perfect cup of tea.
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