8 Things You Need to Know Before Buying Tea
Investing in your health with herbal teas is one of the best decisions you can make for yourself. To make sure every single cup delivers, you'll want to store your tea the right way for optimal freshness and longevity.
But first, let’s talk about packaging...
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Purposeful Packaging for Transfer
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Spirit Healing Tea is dedicated to sourcing only the highest quality loose leaves, herbs, fruits, flowers, and sea greens with your health and well-being in mind. We put just as much thought and care into our packaging. We purposely place our teas in dark, airtight, heat-sealed, windowless, non-transparent mylar bags to not only preserve freshness, but more importantly, to protect it from outside contaminants during transfer. We want every blend to arrive exactly as it left us, pure, protected, and ready to work
There are a number of toxins and pollutants that parcels come into contact with during transportation, such as bad air quality, exhaust fumes, off-gassing from other products or their packaging materials, chemicals, and more. In a closed space, the concentrations can grow to hazardous levels. If your shipment happens to sit next to another box that had recently been inside a shipping container, these contaminants can be even more severe. The ever-evolving flow of packages from around the world means there’s an increasing chance your package is exposed.
Because of this, the last thing you want to do is purchase tea, or any edible product for that matter, that isn’t sealed in an air-tight container. Teas packaged in paper bags or cardboard boxes are very susceptible to toxin permeation, as well as to water, humidity, and pests. Even plastic bags can breathe to some extent, potentially letting in contaminants.
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Avoid these Tea Killers
Teas should be kept in an oxygen-free zone.
Tea leaves oxidize over time with exposure to oxygen. Even when stored in an airtight vessel, some ambient air remains between the top of the container and the tea leaves. Luckily, our teas are so good you'll drink through them long before oxidation becomes a concern.
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Teas should be kept free from heat.
Heat accelerates the oxidation process, so make sure you store your tea vessels in a location that stays a relatively even temperature — not too close to your oven or dishwasher!
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Teas should be kept light-free.
Light-induced changes in tea can occur through photodegradation, which can degrade the quality of your tea. This damage can also change the flavor of your teas, so it's best to keep them in a dark container or dark cupboard to preserve every note.
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Teas should be kept away from strong odors.
Tea leaves easily absorb the scent of their surroundings, which can be detrimental if they come into contact with undesirable smells, such as a spice cabinet, trashcan, or other source of odor. Store your tea in airtight vessels away from anything with a strong or unpleasant smell.
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Teas should be kept free of moisture.
Teas should be kept free of moisture. A tea's shelf life is only stable when it is dry, so don't expose your tea to liquid until you're ready to brew. Keep it in an airtight storage container to block out all moisture, including humid areas such as above the dishwasher vent or refrigerator.
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Teas stay prime in bulk.
An almost empty, airtight vessel with a small amount of tea at the bottom will actually deteriorate faster than an airtight vessel entirely filled to capacity. Keep your tea fresher by filling your storage vessel as often as possible, shaking to let the tea settle, then adding more tea: the more tea, the less oxygen there is, and the less likely it is to absorb other odors. Think of refilling your canister as part of the ritual… the more you keep it full, the better every cup will be
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Storing Your Tea at Home
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We put a lot of thought into protecting your tea during shipping, and we do recommend transferring it to an airtight opaque container once it arrives. You can keep it in the original packaging, but an opaque sealed vessel is simply the best option for long-term freshness. Tea does not have an expiration date, but it can lose potency over time if not stored properly. Follow the tips above and you will likely finish your tea long before you notice any change in aroma or taste.
The short version:
Keep your tea dry, cool, and in the dark.
Heat, light, air, odors, and moisture are all enemies of a good cup. And contrary to popular belief, the freezer and refrigerator are not your tea's friends either.
TEA STORAGE RECOMMENDATIONS
Use opaque, airtight canisters
Always choose food-safe vessels
Glazed ceramics, non-reactive metals, and opaque, non-etching plastics will work well
Wood vessels can work, too, just be mindful that many wood containers carry odors that can influence your tea’s flavor
A tightly sealed lid is key; if the vessel can hold water, it can protect your tea.
Ready to Brew Something Beautiful?
Every tea and tea extract ships sealed and protected, straight to your door. Find your favorite:
