Pu'er tea can be stored long-term and becomes more fragrant with age. However, Black Tea is different from Pu'er tea as it has a specific Shelf life. Storing it for too long will cause the tea's aroma to dissipate, which in turn affects the taste of the infusion. In other words, black tea generally does not have significant value for collection.
So how long is the shelf life of black tea? This depends on the Packaging of the black tea. Generally, canned black tea has a shelf life of 2 years, sealed bagged black tea lasts 1 to 2 years, and loose black tea has a shelf life of 18 months. However, if stored properly, it can last longer. Regardless, to enjoy the purest flavor of black tea, it is recommended to consume it within its shelf life.
How to Store Tea?
In any case, once tea is opened, it should be stored promptly. Common methods used at home include canning storage and bagged storage. Canning storage is a widely adopted method in many households mainly because it is very convenient. However, many people often overlook a detail: tea easily absorbs odors, so if the can itself has an Odor, it will affect the quality of the tea. Therefore, you can place a small amount of tea in the can first to absorb any odors inside.
Bagged storage is relatively more complicated but has the advantage of being economical and practical. There are certain requirements for the packaging bags; they should be food-grade and have high density and strength.
Black tea differs from teas like Pu'er in that it rarely has value for collection and should not be stored for too long. Therefore, if you have high-quality black tea at home, besides storing it properly, it is also recommended to consume it within its shelf life.