Tea packed in the form of tea bags or envelopes or as loose leaf tea, once opened from its packaging, needs to be stored carefully to protect its taste (flavour) and natural goodness (antioxidants) across four important parameters moisture, heat, light and odours.
Since tea is hygroscopic, it absorbs moisture, kitchen odours and strong aromas while the volatile compounds in tea – which form flavour - can be degraded by exposure to excessive heat , light and humid conditions over a period of time. Exposure of tea to external environment could also attract household insects.
Our suggestion is therefore to store the tea in a cool, dry place inside a clean and airtight storage container, ideally an airtight ceramic caddy. Storing tea in the refrigerator aids protection of flavour, aroma and natural antioxidants in tea with its controlled temperature. However, it is important to ensure that storage of tea inside refrigerator is done in an airtight container to protect tea from absorption of moisture, food odours as well as to prevent condensation .