Buying quality tea is only part of the experience. The way you store tea at home can also affect its aroma, flavour and overall freshness. Tea is a dry product, but it can absorb moisture and surrounding odours when exposed to unsuitable conditions.
Whether you enjoy black tea, green tea, flavoured tea or loose-leaf tea, a few simple storage habits can help preserve the character of your tea for longer.
Keep tea away from air, moisture, heat, light and strong odours, and you will already be doing most of the important things right.
Several environmental factors can gradually affect the quality of stored tea.
An airtight container is one of the easiest ways to protect tea after opening. A good-quality tea tin or sealed container can reduce exposure to air and moisture.
If your tea comes in a resealable package, close it securely after every use. Avoid leaving the package open on a kitchen counter.
A transparent glass jar may look attractive in a kitchen, but keeping tea exposed to direct sunlight is not ideal for preserving its quality.
Instead, place your tea in an opaque container or store it inside a cool, dark cupboard.
The kitchen can contain several sources of heat, including ovens, stoves and kettles. Try not to store tea directly beside these appliances.
Moisture is particularly important to control because tea readily interacts with humidity. Always use a dry spoon when handling tea and make sure the storage container is properly sealed.
Do not store tea next to the sink or in an area exposed to frequent steam from cooking or boiling water.
Tea can absorb surrounding aromas. Storing it beside spices, coffee, strongly flavoured foods or other aromatic products can affect the way it smells and tastes.
A dedicated tea container in a cupboard is a simple way to reduce this risk.
For most everyday tea products, a cool, dry cupboard is a practical storage choice. Refrigerators contain moisture and many different food aromas, which can create storage challenges once tea is opened.
Some specialty teas, particularly certain delicate products, may have specific storage recommendations from their producer. Always follow the storage instructions supplied with your tea.
Older tea may gradually lose some of its aroma and flavour. A once-fragrant tea may smell noticeably weaker or produce a flatter cup.
Always check the product’s packaging for its shelf-life information and storage instructions. If the product has been exposed to moisture or shows signs of contamination, it should not be consumed.
Good storage does not have to be complicated. A properly sealed container, a dry cupboard and protection from heat, light and strong smells can go a long way toward maintaining the character of your tea.
Choose your favourite Shera Tea blend, store it carefully and make every cup part of a better everyday tea ritual.
