How best to store herbal teas and infusions?

Tools, items, boxes and best practices for extending the life of tea, herbs and infusions

As great tea and herbal tea lovers that we are, we would like to bring attention to a topic that is too often underestimated: how to store tea and herbal teas. It often happens that so many people ask us what is the best method of storing herbal teas and infusions after they have been purchased, and then loose or bagged. That’s why we wanted to write this article where we will not only precisely explain the best ways of storing for our favorite infusions, but we will also mention what are the best ways to prepare them, why to drink them, and also – much requested in summer – how to store tea and herbal teas AFTER brewing (fridge yes, fridge no?).

We hope this contribution will help you extend the life of your favorite teas and herbal teas, preserving their aroma, fragrance and taste. In order to have always and as long as possible, quality products that can give you the joy of enjoying them.

First of all, why take teas and herbal teas?

The reason is very simple: infusions, along with decoctions, have beneficial properties and are often used for therapeutic purposes to help heal from illnesses, flu and local discomfort. It is good to know, however, that infusions and teas (just think of the many types of tea that exist) are numerous, not only because of their many types and peculiarities in terms of flavors, smells and origins, but also because of their beneficial effects on our bodies. If you are interested in the world of tea, find out more in our blog, where we dedicate articles to the discovery of this extraordinary product, starting from what is the right way to write tea, to recipes and preparations based on this beverage.

Each herb used in the preparation of infusions has its own particular “mission”: imagine the many herbs and plants that are depurative for example, in addition to enjoying a pleasant drink for its organoleptic and sensory qualities, herbal teas and teas are valuable ingredients for your well-being.

If we want to learn how to preserve our teas and herbal teas, however, it is equally important to learn how best to prepare them. In some nations, in fact, tea preparation is a true ritual that follows meticulous rules and steps, as well as having a very specific and suitable kit of items for each occasion. Equally making a DIY herbal tea is very easy, the important thing is knowing how to achieve the right balance between the various steps and the right doses of the ingredients, all accompanied by the suitable herbal tea and tea accessories.

How to brew a tea

If every herbal tea has its own preparation and achieving the perfect process needs its own recipe, there are also rules and methodologies for teas according to variety, type and origin. In Japan, a traditional tea ceremony has been handed down over the centuries that is still practiced today.

For example, the procedure for preparing matcha tea has a very specific ritual handed down through the ages, designed to enhance the sensory and beneficial peculiarities of tea. We also invite you to discover every curiosity and insight in the section dedicated to the preparation of teas and their history, where you can also view the many varieties of tea present.

Preparing herbal teas

To prepare herbal tea, you will need to use an herbal tea pot that has a filter inside it, which will contain the loose herbs. In case you do not have this accessory, a simple teapot with a filter or without will do the trick.

Preparing the perfect herbal tea is unfortunately not achieved by these directions alone, but if you want to know every secret and curiosity about how to prepare herbal tea, you can visit a quick and easy guide available on Third Moon.

How and where to store bulk herbs and where NOT to do it

If you’re reading this article, it’s because you probably need clarification regarding the storage of herbal teas and teas. Like any food, teas and herbal teas are perishable products, and below we will look at how to protect them from their natural enemies.

You may not know it, but light, heat, air and moisture are the main enemies of your teas.

• Light: this is a natural agent that modifies and erodes foods, leading them to chemical transformations such that an infusion can deteriorate easily
• Heat: this external agent can also cause it to change quickly and abruptly until it becomes stale
• Moisture: the water component that is present in moist places, like the previous agents, can cause a change in herbs whether they are dry or fresh, damaging them.
• Air: this is the number one enemy of teas-especially white and green teas-as oxygen speeds up the oxidation process, compromising their taste and quality

An herbal tea or tea put on exposure to these elements could suffer damage by shortening its shelf-life.

How to store your dry teas and loose herbs to avoid this?

• Avoid damp places or near heat sources
• Store them tightly in herbal tea containers and tea racks to prevent air passage
• Store them on shelves or shelves away from light

How to store loose herbal teas?

If you’re a regular user and make heavy use of loose herbal teas, you’ve surely run into a big problem: how to store your loose herbs without spilling or leaking and getting dirty everywhere?

The solution is simple: your favorite brew can be placed in convenient herbal tea and tea containers such as jars-preferably tin or porcelain-so that the product does not deteriorate due to its main natural enemies (light, humidity and heat) by making sure they have an airtight seal to keep air out of them.

If, on the other hand, your local tea and herbal tea store sells only loose herbs, but you are a lover of pre-packaged doses, don’t despair: disposable tea and herbal tea bags, which can be purchased separately, will solve all your problems. These mini-doses will help you store herbal teas and teas in a breathable environment (because loose herbs are living elements and need to breathe) but be careful: air is, as we said, one of the main enemies so it is always better to store them in places that prevent them from passing through.

For ideal storability, however, it is advisable to rely on special containers that avoid moistening your infusions such as our paper bags with closures. These tea and herbal tea holders prevent the passage of external agents by keeping the interior environment low in moisture and not allowing mold or other growth.

How to store leaf tea?

Not much different is the case for loose and loose leaf teas. These are products that are particularly susceptible to the actions of external agents such as light and heat so we advise against storing them in plastic containers that are not breathable or that allow light to filter through and moisture to build up inside, compromising the quality of the tea, whether it is in leaves or bags.

Average shelf life and “expiration” of our favorite brews

So far we have outlined to you some tips for good storage of teas and herbal teas, but don’t forget that they are foods that have a natural degradation process and therefore are not eternal.

There is no real expiration date although you will often find dates marked. These are minimum shelf life times, a kind of indicator that seve to ensure that the organoleptic and sensory properties are not affected or altered.

Good storage in the right places and in the right tea and herbal tea boxes promotes excellent product preservation and ensures the expected sherf-life of the product.

Remember this small distinction, however:

• Loose leaf green and white teas have a lower degree of oxidation, so they may deteriorate faster, oxidation being a chemical process that alters organoleptic and sensory qualities
• Black teas have a longer shelf life because they have already been oxidized through drying

How to store tea and herbal teas after brewing

You may have wondered if it is possible to drink infusions after hours or the next day. The answer is simple: “yes but…”

As mentioned many times before, foods are prone to oxidation, and not only fresh ones but also prepared ones, undergoing gradual aging.

Storage with an herbal tea maker equipped with a warmer

If you want to preserve your tea or herbal tea after infusion, preventing it from cooling and losing its taste, warmth and organoleptic properties, the absolute best way is to equip yourself with a tisaniera with warmer, that is, a glass tisaniera equipped with space underneath where to house a candle capable of keeping our drink always at a temperature around 60°. Thus allowing us to consume it calmly throughout the day. Not only useful, also very beautiful!

Cold storage of herbal teas and teas

Oxidation will spare no one, whether hot herbal teas or cold teas .

If you are an avid drinker of herbal teas and don’t want to lose their fantastic taste even in summer, you can continue to do so thanks to our guide on how to make cold herbal teas using the Cold Brew cold brew method. This process will allow you to cold extract the aromatic part of the infusion and then put it in the refrigerator and enjoy it after a few hours.

Cold extraction is the safest method to be able to store your herbal tea or tea for a long time, as long as you maintain the cold chain.

Store your green tea in the refrigerator?

Tea as well as herbal tea, once infused in boiling water, if allowed to cool gradually, undergoes an oxidation process such that the inherent properties of the herbs, whether fresh or dried, are lost. For this reason, it is always advisable to avoid leaving the drink too long out of the refrigerator. If you are certain that you will not be able to drink your tea or herbal tea in enough time that the organoleptic qualities are not lost, it is best to provide a heat shock that can stop the oxidation processes.

We hope this guide on how to store tea and herbal teas, both loose and infused may have been helpful to you!