How to properly store your tea?

How to properly store your tea to enjoy its aromas and benefits?

When enjoying quality tea, observe the dry leaves, smell them, and admire them as they infuse in your teapot. Finally, enjoy the liquor and take the time to explore its aromatic richness... Be careful, this experience can be compromised if the tea is not properly stored! It should be noted that tea is an almost dry product because the leaves contain 2 to 3% residual moisture, but it remains a perishable product, so preserving your tea is essential to maintain its aromas, freshness, and properties. In this article, we will give you the best tips for storing your teas so you can fully savor them with every sip.

Photo credit: Dolcescena

1. To preserve it, tea must be kept away from air and light!

• Tea's number 1 enemy is air !

If your tea isn't stored in an airtight container, it will continue to oxidize, losing its flavors and aromas. Make sure your container is clean and dry before placing your tea inside. Here's a test: can you smell your tea through its paper bag? Is your favorite tin all dented and struggling to close? Forget them to properly store your teas!

• Tea doesn't like light!

Yes... We know, some people love to display their beautiful tea leaves in transparent glass jars... Our customers also sometimes ask us in the store, why didn't we choose transparent to display our teas... Well, quite simply for preservation! Light accelerates the oxidation process, even more quickly for green and white teas. The teas lose their freshness and flavor, the leaves dry out and quickly decompose into dust in a glass jar. So, if you absolutely want to use glass containers, choose tinted glass like our wine bottles or pharmaceutical containers!

2. Tea leaves should not be stored near a heat source.

Tea should be stored in a cool, dry environment to maintain its freshness. Excessive humidity can promote mold growth. Ideally, the storage temperature should be between 15°C and 25°C.

3. Other odors can alter the tea

Tea has the ability to absorb odors from its surroundings. This makes it a great deodorizer! However, avoid storing different types of tea in the same container, as the aromas will blend. Store your tea away from coffee, spices, and other odorous foods and products.

4. Respect the storage times indicated on your bags.

Although tea doesn't spoil like perishable goods, it gradually loses its aroma and freshness over time. Generally, it's recommended to consume tea within six months to a year of purchase to fully enjoy its flavor.

5. Every rule has its exceptions: storing your Matcha tea, storing your fermented tea.

• Matcha tea is particularly sensitive to light and heat, which alter its taste and nutritional properties.

Photo credit: a tea party

So, be sure to never buy Matcha in a clear glass container... Generally, very good ceremonial Matcha is packaged in 30g cans sealed directly in Japan. After opening your can of Matcha, be sure to close it tightly and place it in your refrigerator. Try to consume your Matcha tea within 3 to 4 months of opening it to enjoy the best tasting experience.

• Unlike green teas, fermented teas or Pu'er teas need some oxygen to continue evolving.

6. The tea boxes with an air of tea are not chosen at random!

Our 100g or 20g tea tins in our gift sets all feature a built-in double lid to protect your tea from air, light, and moisture!

7. Eco-refills, a touch of tea, designed for long-lasting and optimal preservation

Our tea bags perfectly preserve the flavors of your tea. To combat waste, Un Air de Thé invites you to reuse our tea bags as eco-refills during your next visit. We will then take care not to add flavors incompatible with the previous ones. A little tip: Leave your empty tea bags open for a few days before your visit to allow the flavors to disappear.