Storing Tea

What is the best way to store tea? Is it all right to freeze it?

Loretta F.

Dear Mrs. Frigidaire,

Before I get to your (excellent) question, I must take this opportunity to clear up some confusion that seems to have arisen. When perusing my many (excellent) questions and assorted fan emails, I've been noticing a disturbing trend.

Supposedly, there is there is another "celebrity" out there posing as me. To clear a few things up: no, I do not have a mohawk. I once had a fairly bad haircut, but it grew out. I do enjoy gold, as long as it is in the form of Golden Monkey tea. Finally, I've never gotten into fisticuffs with Sylvester Stallone. And I pity the poor fool that does—he's quite a fighter!

Answer: The best way to keep tea fresh is by putting it in a dark, dry space (like your cupboard, etc.), kept as air-tight as possible. This should maintain freshness up to one year (a little less for green and white teas). I do not recommend putting in the freezer, in that it will add moisture to the tea leaves, greatly reducing the flavor.

Keeping it fresh,
Mr. Tea
Lover, not a fighter