How long does tea last?

Are you a true tea lover and do you like to buy your favorite flavors in bulk? No problem! Tea has an exceptionally long shelf life if stored correctly. Read all about it below.

Shelf life

Tea is a dried product and doesn't really spoil, but it will lose its flavor. You can store tea for 12 to 18 months without any loss of flavor. Between 12 and 18 months, you can still safely drink the tea, but after 18 months, it's advisable to err on the side of caution and stop drinking it.

The darker the tea, the longer it can be stored. Black tea, therefore, has a longer shelf life than green tea . This is because black tea oxidizes longer than green tea, meaning it is drier. The drier the tea, the longer it can be stored.

Storing loose tea

You naturally want your tea to retain its flavor for as long as possible. Therefore, avoid air, odors, light, heat, and moisture. Store your tea in airtight tea containers. A tea tin ensures the tea stays cool and is not exposed to air. It's also important to store tea in a cool, dark place, away from sunlight or heat or light sources.

Smell

Did you know that loose leaf tea easily absorbs odors? So make sure you don't store it near herbs and spices. These tips will help you preserve the flavor and enjoy your tea for longer.

Refrigerator

You may have heard that you can store tea in the refrigerator, but we advise against it. The only teas that can be stored in the refrigerator are Japanese green teas sealed in tins. However, these should be consumed within a short time.

Storing tea bags

Tea bags essentially have the same requirements: avoid light, air, heat, moisture, and odor. You can store tea bags in tins or a tea box with compartments.