So, there you are. You’ve just received an airtight package of some exquisite tea like Gyokuro, Keemun Hao-Ya A, Ceylon SFTGFOP1 or Yin Hao from some far away place like Japan, China, Taiwan, India, or Sri Lanka. You can’t wait to open the package, to see the tea, to smell it. Most of all, you can’t wait to make a cup and try it for yourself. And who could blame you? There are few things on earth as satisfying, relaxing, and refreshing as a perfect infusion made from the world’s finest teas. But once you’ve broken the seal on whatever container held your tea, you may find yourself wondering how to properly store it. And if you don’t properly store it, you may find yourself wondering why your formerly incredible tea has transformed into one that is dull, lifeless, and boring.

In Order to avoid that awful moment, it is important to know your enemies. Or, more specifically, the enemies of your tea.

Light: Light is to tea what sun is to vampires. You should ensure that whatever container is going to hold your tea is completely dark inside, and that no light penetrates through any opening or crack. Barring this, whatever container stores your tea should be kept someplace dark.

Heat: Many people store their tea in their kitchens. This seems an obvious place, considering their kettles and cups and spoons are usually there, but it can be murder to fine tea. Stoves, toasters, refrigerators and microwaves all produce heat, and that heat rises to top shelves where people often store their teas. Simply put, if your tea is in your kitchen; store it down low, away from hot appliances, and out of the light. And do we even need to mention keeping your fine tea out of hot cars?

Cold: Many coffee lovers keep their beans in the freezer. NEVER do this to tea! Freezing fine tea damages it, and can render it spiritless and void of character. Ditto to the refrigerator, which though it is a great temperature for storing tea, runs the risk of infecting your beautiful leaves with the taste of whatever else lies within. Think how sad you would be to make a cup of Qi Shan Oolong, only to discover it tasted just like the lasagna you had for dinner the night before!

Air: More than light, heat, or cold, oxygen is the true enemy of fine tea. This is why it is of the utmost importance that your tea be stored in a truly airtight container. Most tea tins do not fall into this category, nor do most containers in general. If your tea came in a bag, simply folding over the top of the bag and taping it shut or sealing it with a clothespin will not do. The tea should be transferred to a new container, preferably one with some sort of mechanism for evacuating the air within, and stored properly.  We love this one, made by Vacu-vin: Click Here

If all these steps are followed correctly, your new purchase should provide you with many weeks of the enjoyment that comes from an exquisite cup of the world’s finest teas.