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Have you noticed how the loose leaf tea you like the most always deteriorates the fastest? Why is the tea expiration date of teas you don’t like longer? The reason is quite simple. A) You like it so much that you always save it for later – and later becomes just too late for a good cup of tea. B) You are opening the pouch too often and overexpose it to air. C) You forget to close the packaging properly because you plan to use it in a couple of hours again, anyway.

The tea you love the most should stay fresh the longest. Indeed, shelf life of tea can be prolonged.

What does the expiration date on the packaging means?

With tea, the situation is not as serious as with other food products. Unlike meat or dairy that may become dangerous if eaten past expiry date, tea will rarely do you harm. However, both flavor and quality may and will deteriorate with time and even before expiry date if exposed to sunlight, heat, mold, humidity or air.

Here is what you can do to extend the shelf life of your tea.

(Source: Tea Bespoke ©)

9 tips to prolong the shelf life of loose leaf tea

1. Always seal the pouch

The first step in extending the life of your tea is always sealing the pouch or closing the container. Constant exposure to air may ruin the tea even within a couple of days—especially unoxidized green and lightly oxidized oolong tea.

2. Keep away from kitchen

While the most convenient, kitchen is also the worst place to store tea. From low to very high temperatures, extra moisture and heat and hundreds of scents, it’s the ultimate home of all tea enemies. Store tea in a cool room without scents.

3. Never store opened tea pouches in the fridge

Keeping tea in the fridge is both a very good and a very bad idea. Although fridge can extend the life of your tea, this is mostly true only for sealed unopened pouches. Why? Because tea is famous for its scent absorbing ability, and if not closed properly, it will easily take on any smells from the fridge. The best teas for storing in the fridge are those In vacuumed sealed pouches, unopened pouches or carefully sealed bags or tins that you don’t plan to use too often.

4. Keep teas at the same temperature

Teas too, just like people, don’t like high temperature differences. Find a good spot for your tea where the temperature will be approximately the same throughout the year.

5. Choose the right containers

Unless you are buying small quantities of tea, you can use in a few months, it’s a good idea to transfer your tea in an appropriate container. Choose one small 50 grams tin that you will always refill, never allowing too much space for air. Keep the rest tightly sealed in a cool dry place.

6. Use silica gel

Place small silica gel sachet in the container or pouch. Silica pouch will absorb the moisture and it’s safe to use with food products.

7. Use proper utensils

Always use a spoon to scoop out the leaves. Using dry and clean teaspoon or tea scoop to scoop out tea will minimize the exposure to steam, water, bacteria and dirt. Do this away from the steaming kettle.

8. Roast it

Roasting will enhance the flavor, extend the shelf life, possibly reduce caffeine and give you the opportunity to try a completely different tea. Use a clean dry pan, without adding oil, and roast tea leaves for a few minutes over low to medium heat.

9. Age it

The most popular tea with very extended shelf life if pu’erh. In fact, the longer, the better. Pu’erh is stored in special conditions that allow leaves to age and become mellow instead of losing flavor and quality. All other teas can be aged too—including white, yellow, green, oolong and black tea.

Want to learn more about storing your tea properly? Read other articles on Tea Storage here.