TIME TO TASTE

The taste and aroma is the most important indicator of quality. Certainly, taste is subjective and not all tea drinkers share the same opinions. But, in general, freshly brewed, good quality tea should have a fresh, lasting aroma, a refreshing first taste and a lingering after taste.

Freshness may matter more than you think. Studies suggest that tea, as any fresh fruit or vegetable, may lose vitamins and antioxidants over time.

To optimize freshness, we recommend:

1) Store tea tightly sealed in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and strong odors. Do not refrigerate. Tea should never be stored in plastic, glass or paper.  In fact our biodegradable tea bags are sealed in a protective lined overwrap to ensure freshness for up to two years.

2) Whether you prefer hot or iced tea, always prepare it fresh. According to the USDA's report on the antioxidant content of fresh food, fresh iced tea may contain 20 times more antioxidants than bottled or canned iced teas.

3) Drink tea within 1-2 years of purchase. Tea rarely goes bad, but it will lose freshness, flavor and contain less health benefits.

4) Avoid “fannings” or tea dust. Used in mass produced tea bags, fannings are the lowest grade of tea. Because it is in powdered form, the increased surface-to-air ratio makes this grade of tea go stale much faster. Also, mass produced tea bags are almost always packaged in paper or plastic, which does little to preserve freshness.