Quality organic teas, an elegant teapot, reliable infusers, delicate cups... Every detail counts when it comes to making each tea tasting experience truly special. Treat yourself to a reliable sensory ritual by choosing tea accessories that are perfectly suited to your needs. Properly stored, tea is a non-perishable product. That said, it can deteriorate or lose its flavour when exposed to air. A few key precautions go a long way toward ideal preservation. Here is some practical guidance to help you choose and use the right tea storage accessories.
How to keep teas, herbal infusions and tisanes at their best?
The right storage accessories make all the difference in preserving the quality of your teas over time. Storing tea well means shielding it from anything that could cause it to deteriorate. The key is to prevent oxidation of the tea leaves, the process by which particles break down on contact with oxygen. Here are the five main enemies of tea preservation:
- air: opt for vacuum-sealed tea bags or airtight tea caddies;
- light: store your tea storage accessories in a cupboard away from direct light to prevent flavour loss through photo-degradation; choose opaque tins and bags;
- moisture: tea releases its aroma on contact with water, as we all know. Tea caddies with a double seal lid offer an extra layer of protection;
- heat: it speeds up oxidation, so keep your storage containers away from heat sources such as the kettle, oven or hob;
- strong odours: keep all your tea containers well away from unwanted smells. Tea leaves absorb and release scents, and aromas can fade or become tainted if left in contact with other odours.
Some types of tea have a shorter shelf life than others. You will find a best-before date on most tea packaging. It is generally recommended to consume loose-leaf teas, herbal infusions and tisanes within two years of harvest. Beyond that, they remain safe to drink but gradually lose some of their flavour, aroma and colour. Visit this page for more information on storing tea.
The tea caddy: your best ally for storing tea
As living materials, dried tea leaves and herbal blends still need to maintain a moisture level of around 3%. Below that, teas and infusions lose their flavour over time. Above it, the leaves risk developing mould. To care for these delicate ingredients, the tea caddy is an ideal solution.
Perfect for storing all your teas, herbal infusions and tisanes away from air, odours, light and moisture, the tea caddy preserves the aromatic properties of the leaves. Its airtight lid provides excellent protection against humidity and temperature fluctuations. Traditionally designed for loose-leaf tea, the metal tea caddy, more resistant to moisture, has replaced its wooden predecessor, the original material of choice.
Simple or beautifully crafted with artistic details, the tea caddy has become an object of beauty in its own right, as worthy of admiration as its contents.
How to choose the right tea caddy?
A true decorative object, the tea caddy comes in many forms to suit different tastes and needs: compact, large-format, Japanese-inspired or minimal, made in France, eco-friendly... Available in a range of materials, the choice of a tea caddy should above all reflect your own practical, aesthetic and ethical priorities:
- capacity and size suited to your storage space and how you consume tea (size of your stock, loose-leaf, tea bag storage tin, etc.);
- design and style to complement your cups, mugs and teapot;
- material, with both functional and decorative appeal: metal, glass, tin, wood, bamboo...
- eco-responsible, artisan craftsmanship, such as the Washi tea caddy;
- value for money: check customer reviews to get a feel for product quality.
For perfect tea preservation with a personal decorative touch, an airtight tea caddy is the choice that combines elegance with practicality. Browse our selection of tea caddies, chosen for their reliability and undeniable charm.
Storing teas, herbal infusions and tisanes in bags
All our organic teas and infusions are delivered in vacuum-sealed bags. This fully airtight packaging ensures consistent, reliable preservation of both tea and coffee. It is, however, less visually appealing and practical than a tea caddy.
If you prefer, you can also repackage your tea and infusion stock in small bags specially designed for storing dry food products such as tea. These come as opaque vacuum-sealed plastic bags with a zip or slider closure. These tea storage accessories meet strict preservation standards and help maintain the qualities and aromas of your tea over time. Find out more about tea storage bags on this page.
Other essential equipment for tea lovers
Enjoyed for centuries across every continent, teas and infusions are drinks with many benefits for the body. Steeped in tradition and cultural variation, the principle is the same everywhere: a teapot in which aromatic leaves steep in hot water, a filtering system, and then the tea is served in cups, mugs or bowls. Whether you are a classic tea time enthusiast, drawn to the Japanese style, or a tea drinker on the go with a trusty stainless steel insulated bottle always at hand, you will find more valuable information in our pages on: