It picks up the smell of the coffee. Morris prefers that his company's tea be inventoried for as short a time as possible, to minimize its chances of coming into contact with sunlight, humidity, water, or temperature changes. It plans to be doing business in all 50 states over the next few years. Plastics are okay, but glass won't yellow or pick up any acid from the tea. Moisture makes tea lose its flavor.
Plastic is sometimes porous.
Rigolli believes this is especially true with delicate teas, such as jasmine. I've never known tea to break down except with a delicate flower-type like jasmine. The flower can lose their flavor fast especially when plucked early. This also true for scented teas like Earl Grey. Lapsong Souchong is durable, as is smoked tea.