The best practice is to buy only what you know will be drunk within six months, and store the tea correctly.

For ideal storage, tea should be kept in a cool place with in an airtight, opaque container. Avoid having the lid left ajar, especially in an area that has moisture or strong aromas (such as a typical kitchen). Do not freeze or refrigerate tea.

Tea is generally good for one or two years after harvesting if it is stored well, and will not typically develop unpleasant flavors with age, but will simply lose the quality it once had. Teas vary greatly as to their rate of staling, with the better quality green teas being the most susceptible --these begin losing freshness even before the year is out.

At Peet's, we buy teas during the peak of the season, the timing of which varies according to the growing area. We typically purchase only what we think we will sell in a year, and if occasionally we run out it is usually because we are awaiting the new, fresher crop. We keep the tea for as long as possible in its original, estate-sealed chest before opening it, and immediately packing it into airtight tins.