Choose tea in sealed, vacuum-packed packaging so that it stays as fresh as possible until opening and retains its natural antioxidants and flavour.
Fresh whole tea leaves offer a fuller taste and aroma than the small particles often used in tea bags. Pay attention to leaf quality: bagged tea frequently contains fragments left over from processing rather than intact leaves.
Tea absorbs moisture and can spoil. Keep it out of direct sunlight at all times: light and heat encourage oxidation and quickly damage its quality. Store tea in a tightly sealed container to keep out air and insects. Buy smaller quantities, since oxidation begins after the package is opened and quality gradually declines. If you make tea frequently, put aside enough leaves for a few days in a separate container and leave the rest tightly sealed, reducing exposure to air and light. Tea also absorbs odours, so avoid storing it by the stove or beside strongly scented products such as coffee, spices or vanilla extract. Your tea should taste of tea, not curry. If you refrigerate iced tea or a concentrated infusion, keep it for as short a time as practical and always cover it so that it retains its own flavour and aroma rather than absorbing the smells of nearby foods. Glass is a good option for preserving flavour, particularly compared with containers that may impart odours. Good-quality green tea deserves careful storage so that you can enjoy its taste and natural characteristics.
