Tea Storage and Shelf Life

One of the many things we love about tea is that it has a long shelf life, so we can enjoy it for longer periods of time. That being said, different storage methods exist for different types of teas and these are worth getting familiar with so that your favorite teas stay fresh for the longest time possible!

Loose-leaf Tea  

Here at Hackberry, we sell a variety of loose-leaf teas. While the different tea varieties that we offer have their own unique flavors and benefits, there is one thing they have in common and that is shelf life. Loose-leaf teas don't spoil or expire, but they will lose flavor, aroma, and health benefits if they aren't stored properly over an extended period of time. 

Tea's worst enemies are sunlight, oxygen, and sudden temperature changes. To combat these threats, store your tea in an air-container container that prevents light from entering. Then, store that container in an indoor pantry or dark cupboard to avoid light and temperature damage. If you don't have airtight containers, the zip-top bags that we ship your tea to you in work too, but storing them in a dark and room-temperature place is highly recommended.

Aged and Fermented Tea  

Would you believe me if I told you that some tea improves with time? It's true! Teas like Pu-erh tea are aged and fermented over a long period of time. If you are familiar with the fermentation process and how microbes are encouraged to grow, things like temperature, oxygen flow, and humidity levels are closely monitored and manipulated to create the perfect level of fermentation. That being said, storage solutions are still important for fermented teas. Just like loose-leaf tea, aged and fermented teas should be stored in airtight containers in dark, room-temperature places.

Matcha  

Although it's believed that matcha won't necessarily spoil, the taste can be strongly affected by incorrect storing techniques. Matcha is so delicate that it's worth the extra effort to make sure it stays fresh. I've heard that some people store it in the refrigerator. If you do, I will caution you to make sure it's matcha meant to be used in the future. When you're ready to take it out of the refrigerator, it needs to sit at room temperature for a few hours to prevent sudden temperature changes. Sudden changes can cause condensation, which will increase humidity which can negatively affected matcha. 

The key to freshness in your tea is proper storage, whether you're drinking loose-leaf tea, aged tea, or matcha. Getting tea from a reputable source is also essential. Remember the words dark, cool, dry, air-tight when you’re storing your tea. At Hackberry Tea, we pride ourselves on offering premium and delicious teas. We only offer ceremonial grade matcha of the highest quality. So when you buy tea from us, make sure you store it properly so you can keep enjoying it over and over again without compromising flavor or health benefits.