Buying good tea is only half the job. Improper storage can ruin even the highest-quality leaf within a matter of weeks.
Tea's Main Enemies
Light, air, humidity, foreign odours, and heat — each tea category has its own vulnerabilities.
Green and White Tea — The Most Fragile
Their delicate, fresh aroma breaks down quickly on contact with air and light.
- Store in an opaque, airtight container
- Keep in a cool, dark place — away from the stove or a window
- Use within 6–12 months for the best flavour
Oolong and Red Tea — More Resilient, Still Careful
More stable than green tea, but still need protection from moisture and foreign smells.
- Airtight packaging is essential
- Keep away from spices and coffee — tea readily absorbs surrounding aromas
- Stores well for 1–2 years under proper conditions
Pu-erh — The Exception to the Rule
This tea, unlike the others, "breathes" and matures over time.
- A small amount of airflow is acceptable, even beneficial
- Moderate humidity (not dryness) supports proper aging
- Avoid direct sunlight and foreign odours, but don't seal it airtight like other categories
A Simple Rule of Thumb
If in doubt, store it like green tea — airtight, dark, cool. The one exception is pu-erh, which needs a little room to breathe in order to develop over time.
Gaba Tea House supplies authentic Chinese and Taiwanese tea, sourced directly from the gardens that grow it, delivered nationwide across Indonesia — so the leaf you store is worth taking care of.