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How to Store Loose Leaf Tea (7 Simple Rules)

Posted by Angelina Kurganska on

"The best quality tea must have the creases like the leather boots of Tartar horsemen, curl like the dewlap of a mighty bullock, unfold like a mist rising out of a ravine, gleam like a lake touched by a zephyr, and be wet and soft like earth newly swept by rain"
– Lu Yu

store loose leaf teaLoose Leaf Tea Storage Tips


When we invest in a quality tea, we want the most out of it. Here are some tips on how to properly store your loose leaf tea: 

  1. Tea is best kept at room temperature. Rapid changes of temperature will damage tea. Keep tea away from heaters, air conditioners, and windows, especially during the harsher seasons.

  2. Make sure to keep tea in a dry place. Humidity will ruin tea.

  3. Tea absorbs nearby odors and aromas, so keep away from strong spices. It is best not to keep tea near where food is cooked or in places with a lot of smoke.

  4. Deeper-oxidized teas, such as black (red) tea and dark oolongs, can hold for at least a couple of years without losing their flavor. Lighter-oxidized oolongs and yellow teas have a slightly shorter shelf life, but should still have at least 18 months before they start losing flavor. White teas and pu-erh, if kept under conditions mentioned above, should only benefit from aging.

    The only teas that have a lifespan from 6 to 18 months are green teas. If you plan to keep green tea for a long time, refrigerate it (but not in a freezer). Do not put your tea in the refrigerator unless it is stored in a vacuum-sealed container. Remember – there is usually food in the refrigerator. You want your tea to be properly protected from the food smells. If refrigerating, always bring the sealed container to room temperature before opening, to prevent condensation.

  5. Make sure to use an airtight container when storing tea. Tea exposed to the open air for lengthy periods will lose moisture, flavor, and quality.

  6. One of the best ways to store loose leaf tea is in a stainless steel container or in an airtight bag lined with aluminum foil. Another good option is a tinted/colored glass container. Avoid using clear glass jars to protect tea from being exposed to direct sunlight. The darker the storage location, the better.

  7. Don't store tea in direct contact with plastic, but it's okay to use plastic as an outer layer.

tea storage