Tea must be stored correctly to maintain freshness. Excessive heat, permeating odors, moisture or exposure can forever alter the character of your tea. An airtight container is necessary to maintain quality. Do not store tea above a stove. Odors and heat are more likely here than in other parts of a kitchen.
Room temperature is fine for most tea.
Green tea can stored long-term in a refrigerator, provided there is no moisture in the storage container. If you store tea in a tin canister, seal it in a zip-lock bag first. Most tins are not airtight. We strongly suggest using an airtight ceramic container with an odor-free silicone seal and a metal clamp.