Why Fresh Tea is Best

Like most food products, tea is generally best when it’s fresh. Most people probably wouldn’t eat a stale croissant or a brown banana, yet many people keep teas in their cupboards for years at a time. This tea-hoarding habit results in tea that is subpar in flavor and in health benefits*. At American Tea Room, we maintain that fresh tea is essential to a superior tea drinking experience.

Our supply chain and tea storage systems ensure that our teas are optimally fresh when they reach you, and we pack our teas in airtight, light-proof bags that help keep your tea fresh after you’ve purchased it. However, we do have some tips for keeping your tea fresh for a fantastic cup of tea every time:

• Keep your teas away from light, heat, moisture and strong odors. A cupboard is usually a good spot, so long as your tea isn’t next to your coffee or spices.
• Consume your tea within three months to one year of purchasing it.
• Consider investing in tea tins, which will help keep your tea at its best for longer.
• If you don’t plan on drinking a tea frequently, order it in a small quantity and then reorder as needed. This way, it will arrive fresh when you’re ready for more instead of going stale as your slowly sip it.

Do you have old tea in your kitchen? Toss it out and replace it with a small quantity of something you’ll relish drinking often. Your tastebuds will thank you!

* There are some exceptions to this. A well-stored Vintage Pu Er or aged oolong can be a true delight to drink, and are reputed to be very healthy. However, very few people’s cupboards are good spots for aging these teas well!