The shelf life of Tea is essentially the optimal tasting period. However, different types of tea have different appreciation angles. For Green Tea, what we appreciate is its freshness and briskness. Therefore, a typical green tea package will state an expiration date: 18 months. This means that, under normal circumstances, after 18 months, its fresh and brisk qualities are virtually gone. However, this does not mean that drinking it after the expiration date is unsafe. On the contrary, if stored properly, the annual transformation of the tea may pleasantly surprise you.

How Much to Know About Preserving Green Tea: These Points Are Key for Storing Green Tea

Storing green tea can actually be quite complex, but I think the best method is to freeze it!

Many people choose to refrigerate their green tea, but in fact, the best way is to freeze it. When you want to drink some, take out just a portion and place it in the refrigerator. This way, you'll enjoy fresh green tea throughout the year!

The freezing temperature should be as low as possible, within the limits of your available conditions.

Some people believe that freshly made green tea has a certain heatiness and needs to be left out to air. However, dealing with this is the responsibility of tea farmers and those who sell tea, so there's no need for consumers to worry about it.

Points to Note When Storing Green Tea

The spring and summer seasons are the best times to drink green tea, and almost every household stocks some. Do you know what precautions to take when storing it?

Light, dryness, and exposure to air determine the rate at which green tea ages. Therefore, it is important to store it away from light, keep it dry, and seal it properly. Sealing also helps prevent it from absorbing unwanted odors. Temperature is another significant factor affecting the quality of green tea; storing it at low temperatures helps preserve the color and flavor of premium green teas, ideally in environments below -10°C. Broken tea leaves can affect the taste and mouthfeel of the tea infusion, so care should be taken to avoid crushing or compressing the tea during storage.

Avoiding light, sealing, keeping dry, freezing, and avoiding pressure are the best ways to store green tea.