Environmental Conditions

• Tea leaves lose their freshness after constant exposure to air, moisture, light and/or heat. They also can absorb odors from smoke or other foods, affecting the tea's flavor. Keeping loose teas stored near cooking appliances can easily spoil their quality.

Varieties

• Different varieties of tea remain fresh for different periods of time. White and green teas generally stay fresh for up to one year, while oolong and black teas last up to two years. A Chinese tea called pu-erh actually benefits from aging, remaining usable for up to 50 years.

Best Practices

• Tea lovers should make every effort to store tea in airtight containers, preferably in a relatively dark, dry, climate-controlled area free of steam or smoke. They should also wash permanent containers before storing fresh tea in them, to ensure that no odors from previous contents permeate the tea leaves.