How to Store Loose Leaf Tea: Protecting Flavour, Preserving Ritual
Estimated read time: 5 minutes
A fine tea deserves more than a place on the shelf. It deserves care. Not out of fragility, but out of respect.
The way you store loose leaf tea can influence not just its flavour—but how it feels to prepare. Storage becomes part of the ritual. A way to extend the leaf’s life, and your experience of it.
Here’s how to do it well—with intention.
Why Storage Matters
Loose leaf tea holds within it volatile aromatics, essential oils, and the delicate imprint of where it was grown. These are sensitive to air, light, moisture, and scent. Over time, they fade.
Storage, then, is not about preservation alone. It’s about maintaining the clarity of expression. When the tea is ready to speak, it still can.
Our Packaging: Designed for Beauty and Care
We present our teas in two forms:
- Clear glass jars – to display the beauty of the leaf, crafted to protect freshness
- Lined paper pouches – simple, refill-ready, with food-safe inner layers for short-term storage
Both are deliberate choices. One invites display. The other supports flexibility.
If you choose to decant into your own containers, we encourage doing so with thoughtfulness. Not all storage is equal. But it can all be part of the experience.
Five Quiet Enemies of Tea
1. Air
Too much oxygen will gradually flatten flavour.
What to do: Reseal after each use. Keep jars or pouches closed between infusions.
2. Moisture
Tea absorbs humidity quickly. Even a little can compromise it.
What to do: Keep away from steam, especially near kettles or stoves.
3. Light
Some teas are sensitive to UV. Others, like aged pu-erh, welcome soft exposure.
What to do: Store your tea away from direct sunlight. Filtered or ambient light is fine for most.
4. Heat
Warmth speeds up oxidation. Delicate teas prefer cool, stable conditions.
What to do: Avoid placing tea near ovens, windows, or appliances.
5. Scent
Tea is highly absorbent. It will draw in the fragrance of its surroundings.
What to do: Store away from spice racks, candles, and cleaning products.
How to Use Our Packaging Best
Glass Jars
Our jars are made to show the tea—its shape, its structure, its story. The seal is tight. The glass is thick. It’s more than a vessel; it’s a visual part of your ritual.
Tip: If your kitchen gets strong afternoon light, consider placing jars in a drawer or shaded shelf to extend freshness. Otherwise, they’re made to be seen.
Lined Pouches
Our pouches are fully food-safe and designed for short- to medium-term freshness. They’re perfect for gifting, storing refills, or housing teas you enjoy often.
Tip: If you’ll be storing a pouch for longer than a few weeks, consider transferring the contents into an airtight container with minimal headspace.
Shelf Life: A Quiet Guide
| Tea Type | Freshest Within | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Green Tea | 6–12 months | Enjoy bright and early |
| White Tea | 12–24 months | Some age beautifully |
| Oolong Tea | 12–18 months | Depends on oxidation and roast |
| Black Tea | 18–24 months | Holds structure well |
| Pu-erh (Raw) | Ages intentionally | Store with air flow and patience |
| Pu-erh (Ripe) | Stable for years | Room temperature, no rush |
These are not expiration dates. They are windows of clarity.
Storage, As Ritual
To store tea well is to prepare for tomorrow.
It’s a pause that says: this is worth returning to.
Whether your teas are on display or tucked away, in glass or in pouch, your attention is the difference.
Store with care. Brew with intention. Let every cup be a continuation of the ritual.
