You have invested in good tea. Perhaps a first flush Darjeeling, or a carefully blended masala chai. The packaging is beautiful, the aroma promising. And then, within weeks, it tastes flat. What happened?
The Four Enemies of Tea
Tea degrades when exposed to four things: air, light, moisture, and strong odours. Understanding this is the foundation of proper storage.
Air oxidises the delicate oils in tea leaves, dulling their flavour. This is why an open bag of tea loses its character so quickly — every time you open it, fresh oxygen accelerates the decline.
Light, particularly UV light, breaks down the catechins and other compounds that give tea its flavour and health properties. Never store tea in a glass jar on a sunlit shelf, however attractive it looks.
Moisture is tea's worst enemy. Even a small amount of humidity can trigger mould growth or cause the leaves to go stale. Tea should always be stored in a dry environment.
Odours are absorbed readily by tea leaves. Storing tea near spices, coffee, or cleaning products will contaminate its flavour. Tea picks up its environment.
The Ideal Container
The best storage vessel for tea is an opaque, airtight container made of tin, ceramic, or food-grade stainless steel. Avoid plastic, which can impart subtle flavours over time. The container should be just large enough to hold your tea — excess air inside the container accelerates staleness.
Where to Keep It
A cool, dark cupboard away from the stove is ideal. The pantry works well. The countertop next to the kettle is convenient but often too warm and too exposed to light.
Do not refrigerate tea. The temperature fluctuation when you remove the container causes condensation, introducing moisture directly onto the leaves. The exception is long-term storage of very expensive teas, vacuum-sealed and frozen — but this is specialist territory.
How Long Does Tea Last?
Properly stored, most teas remain excellent for six to twelve months after purchase. Green teas are more delicate and should be consumed within four to six months. Black teas and pu-erh teas are more resilient, with some pu-erhs actually improving over years.
The simplest test is your nose. Open the container and inhale. If the aroma is vivid and inviting, the tea is fine. If it smells papery, dusty, or simply absent — it is time for a fresh supply.