How Do You Store Tea Bags in the Fridge? (Solved!)

Are you hoping to get the most out of your tea bag? Do you want to save it for another cup?

The best way to store tea bags in the fridge is in an opaque container. You can store them in ceramic, metal, plastic, or glass. Never store dry, unused tea bags in the fridge. Only store used tea bags that you plan to reuse.

In the following sections we will explore the best ways to store tea for later use. 

Best Way To Store Tea Bags In The Fridge

Let’s start with the obvious. Do not store unused, dry tea bags in the fridge. The air in the fridge is damp and will make the tea damp. Damp tea will mold, even in the fridge. Only store wet, used tea bags in the fridge. 

The first thing to consider when storing tea bags in the fridge is that you want an airtight container. The more air exposure the tea gets the more likely the tea will lose its flavor. 

The next most important thing is making sure the container is opaque. Tea loses its flavor when exposed to light for extended periods of time. If you do not have any opaque containers, you can line a container with foil to keep the light out. 

Lastly, it is important to keep in mind that the more often you take the container out of the fridge and open and close it, the faster it will go bad. 

You can leave tea bags out at room temperature for up to 24 hours. To minimize the exposure to the air, collect your tea bags throughout the day and put them all in at the end of the day. To minimize heat and light exposure during the day, collect the tea bags in a travel coffee mug with a lid.

Best Way To Store Loose Leaf Tea In The Fridge

When storing loose leaf tea, you have many of the same requirements as tea bags. You want an airtight container that does not let light in. Similar to tea bags, you can line a container with foil to protect the tea from light. 

The big difference between loose leaf tea and tea bags is that loose leaf tea is not contained in a bag. You can store it in your tea infuser. However, this means you cannot use the infuser for more tea. 

A better option is to dump out the tea onto foil. You can then wrap the tea up. This also helps protect it from the air and light. 

Best Way To Store Tea Bags In The Freezer

If you want to ensure that your tea bags won’t go bad, you can store them in the freezer. In the freezer tea bags will last at least a few months. 

The same rule applies to freezer storage as fridge storage. You do not want to store dry, unused tea bags in the freezer. Dry, unused tea bags last for at least a year in a cabinet or pantry. If you put them in the freezer, they will only last 6 months to a year. 

While tea bags will mold in the fridge, they will get freezer burned if they are in the freezer too long. 

When storing tea bags in the freezer, you need to make sure they are kept from freezing together. Since you are freezing something that is wet, try separating the tea bags with foil.

Another choice is to put the tea bags in an ice cube tray. Freeze them and then once they are frozen, move them into a Ziploc bag. Line the Ziploc with foil to keep out light whenever the freezer is opened.

Best Way To Store Loose Leaf Tea In The Freezer

To store loose tea in the freezer, put the loose tea in ice cube trays with a little water. This makes tea ice cubes. Line a Ziploc bag with foil to keep out light. Freeze the tea. Once frozen, move the tea cubes into the Ziploc bag. 

An alternative to a Ziploc is to use a freezer safe container. This is one time when plastic works best. If the container is clear, line it with foil to keep out the light.

What To Do With Saved Tea Bags

The main reason to keep used tea bags is to make another cup of tea. If you want strong tea, you need at least two tea bags. 

If you are storing the tea bags in the fridge, you should use them within a week. You can collect a couple of them and make a whole pot of tea or make cold brew tea.

If you are storing the tea bags in the freezer, they will last for at least a few months. Frozen tea bags work best for making sun tea or cold brew tea. If you use them for hot tea, they will make the tea cold. 

What To Do With Saved Loose Leaf Tea

There are a few things you can do with loose tea that you have saved.

You can make more tea

If you are using tea stored in the fridge, you can make hot tea, cold brew, or sun tea.

If you are using tea stored in the freezer, cold brewed tea and sun tea are the best options.

You can compost the tea

Tea is a great addition to a compost pile or compost bin. The tea makes good fertilizer.

You can bury the tea in a planter

If you do not have a compost heap or compost bin, you can bury the tea leaves in a pot, planter, or garden. As the tea biodegrades, it will release nutrients into the soil that will help your plants grow.

Conclusion

Whatever your plans for your tea, make sure to store it in the right place. Dry, unused tea should be stored in a cool, dark, and dry place like a pantry or cabinet. Used tea should be stored in the fridge or freezer.