How Should Herbal Teas Be Stored Differently from Black Tea?

Herbal teas such as linden, sage, chamomile, and mint generally contain more fragile materials than black tea, including flowers, leaves, and pieces of bark. They are therefore more sensitive to moisture and light and generally have a shorter shelf life than black tea.

Why are they more sensitive?
Black tea leaves undergo oxidation during processing, which makes the leaves somewhat more durable. Herbal teas made from dried flowers and leaves do not undergo this process, so they crumble more easily and their aromatic compounds dissipate sooner. Blends containing flowers such as chamomile and linden lose freshness more quickly than leaf-based blends such as sage and mint. Blends containing fruit pieces are the most delicate group because natural sugars in the fruit attract moisture faster than the other ingredients, making these blends the most prone to clumping.

What are the right storage conditions?
Store herbal teas in a dark-colored, airtight container in a cool cupboard away from light. Herbal tea stored in a clear jar may begin to lose its color and aroma within a few months because of light exposure. If keeping tea bags in their original box, check whether the lid closes tightly; most cardboard boxes are not fully airtight. If individual tea bags are not wrapped in foil, place the box itself inside an airtight metal or glass container.

How long does freshness last?
When stored properly, dried herbal tea generally keeps good quality for 6–12 months; black tea can last longer under the same conditions, around 18–24 months. This difference explains why herbal teas should be bought in smaller packages and more frequently; buying a large package and leaving it in the cupboard for months leads to much greater quality loss than with black tea.

Should home-dried herbal tea be stored differently?
Fresh herbs and flowers dried at home may retain more moisture than store-bought products, so make sure homemade herbal tea is completely brittle and crisp before putting it in a jar. A bunch that is not dry enough may mold in the jar; check the jar once a day during the initial week for moisture on its inside surface. If moisture appears, remove the bunch immediately and let it air-dry for a few more days; otherwise, the entire batch in the jar may mold quickly. If you see any sign of mold, do not re-dry the batch; throw it all out.

How can you tell if it has lost freshness?
Herbal tea that has faded in color and gives off almost no aroma when rubbed has lost freshness; it is still safe but will not have a strong flavor when brewed. Herbal tea that is damp, clumped, or smells moldy should be discarded without tasting. If you see mold or notice a moldy smell when you open a box, do not sniff it closely; throw it out. If there are no signs of mold, rub a pinch in your palm to check its freshness; assessing color and smell together noticeably reduces the chance of error.