Tea Culture | March 11, 2025 | C. Yu

How to Store Tea Properly: 7 Tips for Freshness

Tea lovers know that proper tea storage is key to preserving the flavor and aroma of loose-leaf tea. Whether you’re a casual drinker or a tea connoisseur, learning how to store tea correctly will ensure every cup tastes as fresh. Here are seven essential tips to keep tea fresh and flavorful for longer.

1. Keep Tea Fresh with an Airtight Container

Exposure to air can cause tea leaves to lose their freshness quickly. Store tea in an airtight container to prevent oxidation and preserve its delicate flavors. A well-sealed tea tin, glass jar with a tight lid, or a resealable bag with a one-way valve are great options.

At Senbird, our tea tins are made of 100% recycled aluminum and designed to keep out light, moisture, and odors, ensuring your tea stays fresh for longer.

2. Keep Tea Storage Away from Light

Sunlight and artificial light can degrade tea over time, leading to a loss of flavor and aroma. To protect your tea, store it in a dark, opaque container or keep it in a cupboard away from direct light.

3. Avoid Heat and Moisture

Tea absorbs moisture from the air, which can make the leaves stale or even moldy. For this reason, tea storage should be in a cool, dry place—away from heat sources like stoves, ovens, and direct sunlight. Morever, contrary to popular belief, unless the tea is fully sealed and never opened, we recommend avoiding storing tea in the fridge or freezer. This is because condensation can ruin the leaves.

One great storage solution is a chazutsu tea canister, a traditional Japanese tea container that keeps tea fresh by preventing humidity and air exposure. At Senbird, we carry chazutsu made from wood bark from cherry blossom trees, which have natural antimicrobial and anti-humidity properties. As a result, it helps preserve your tea’s delicate flavors, especially important for special teas like Gyokuro shade-grown green tea.

4. Separate Strong Aromas

Tea leaves from the camellia sinensis plant are highly absorbent of aromas and, as a result, can easily take on the scents of nearby spices, coffee, or other strong-smelling foods. Green tea is especially sensitive to scents, so it’s important to keep it stored separately in an airtight container, away from strong odors.

5. Use the Right Tea Storage Material

The type of container you use matters. Tea tins, like Senbird’s airtight aluminum tins, offer excellent protection against air, moisture, and light. Chazutsu tea canisters are also a great option, especially those crafted from natural materials that help regulate humidity. Glass jars work well too, but only if kept in a dark space. Avoid plastic containers, as they can retain odors and affect the taste of your tea.

6. Buy in Small Batches & Refill When Needed

For the freshest flavor, purchase smaller quantities of tea that you can consume within a few months. While high-quality loose-leaf tea has a long shelf life, fresher tea always delivers the best aroma and taste.

To make replenishing your tea easy while keeping it fresh, Senbird offers a refill program. Subscribe to your favorite and stock up on just the right amount of tea when you need it, without unnecessary waste. This ensures you always have a fresh supply while supporting a more sustainable tea-drinking experience.

7. Label and Track Your Tea

To make sure you’re enjoying your tea at its peak freshness, label each container with the purchase date and aim to drink it within three months of opening the seal to ensure the best aroma and flavor with every brew. In general, green and herbal teas are best consumed within six months to a year, while black and oolong teas can last longer if stored properly.

When it comes to matcha green tea powder, however, its delicate nature requires even more care. Since it's highly sensitive to air, light, heat, and moisture, it's best to consume matcha within 1 to 2 months of opening to preserve its vibrant color and umami-rich taste.

By following these simple steps, you can store tea correctly and extend its shelf life while maintaining its full-bodied flavor and aroma. Using airtight containers like Senbird’s sustainable tea tins or traditional chazutsu canisters can help protect your tea from air, moisture, and light. Keep green tea away from strong odors, and always store tea in a cool, dark place to preserve its delicate character.

With the right storage techniques, every cup of tea can be as fresh and flavorful as the first sip.