Do you drink tea and coffee every day? This storage error ruins everything
Between tea tins that gradually lose their fragrance and coffee capsules that seem to fade over time, we quickly realize that preserving doesn't just mean "keeping in stock". It's about preserving aroma, freshness and quality. Here's what you need to know about tea bags and coffee pods (or capsules).
Why conservation changes everything?
Tea and coffee have one thing in common: they don't like air, light or humidity.
These three enemies alter their aromatic oils, responsible for taste and fragrance.
➡️ Tea, whether loose or in bags, easily picks up odors from the environment. Placed next to spices or household products, it becomes perfumed... unknowingly.
➡️ Coffee, even in hermetically sealed pods, gradually loses its intensity and develops a more pronounced bitterness if the capsule is exposed to heat.
Moral : to enjoy a fragrant infusion or a well-balanced espresso, the secret lies in the storage box.
How to store your tea bags?
Tea is a delicate, almost living ingredient. It reacts to temperature, light and humidity. To preserve its soul, you need to protect it without suffocating it.
✔️ The ideal place : a dry, temperate cupboard, out of the sun.
✔️ The right container: an airtight metal or ceramic tin, or even an opaque glass jar.
➡️ Avoid the fridge: the cold creates condensation, and humidity damages the leaves.
Tip: keep sachets in their original packaging until opened. Once opened, transfer to an airtight container and note the opening date.
Ideal shelf life :
- Black or oolong tea: up to 2 years.
- Green or white tea: more fragile, use within 12 months.
- Infusions and herbal teas: about 1 year.
➡️ Bonus tip: never store your tea bags next to coffee. Coffee gives off powerful aromas that mask the finesse of tea.
Coffee pods and capsules: more resistant, but not invincible
People often think that pods, properly sealed, can be kept indefinitely. In reality, they are protected, not immortal. Over time, coffee aromas slowly evaporate, especially if the pod is exposed to heat.
✔️ Store them in a cool, dry place away from light.
A simple drawer or opaque box will do.
✔️ Avoid hot, humid areas: don't store them above the oven, toaster or dishwasher.
✔️ Leave them in their original packaging until use: this is designed to limit contact with the air.
➡️ For fans of ground coffee or soft pods, remember to transfer your packets to an airtight jar as soon as you open them. The coffee will retain its rich aroma for longer.
Ideal use-by date :
- Hermetically sealed capsules: approx. 12 to 18 months after manufacture.
- Soft pods: 8 to 12 months maximum.
- Ground coffee: use within 4 weeks of opening.
Mistakes to avoid
Some bad habits ruin the best vintages without you even noticing:
❌ Putting tea in the fridge: humidity makes it mushy and loses its fragrance.
❌ Leave pods on the worktop: between heat and light, the aromas fade in a few weeks.
❌ Using transparent tins under a lamp: pretty on a shelf, catastrophic for quality.
❌ Mixing several teas in the same jar: flavors blend and lose subtlety.
➡️ The right reflex : sober storage, in a cool, dry, closed place, away from light. Simple, but terribly effective.
The right reflexes for every day
✔️ Always seal your packaging immediately after use.
✔️ Avoid handling sachets or pods with wet hands.
✔️ Note the date of purchase on the box to monitor freshness.
✔️ And above all, never store your teas and coffees near household products, spices or onions: they are real flavor thieves!
Bonus tip: a small sachet of raw rice in the cupboard helps absorb ambient humidity - especially useful in poorly ventilated kitchens.
Adèle Peyches
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