The Perfect Christmas Gifts for Tea & Coffee Lovers | Penningtons Tea & Coffee
Finding the perfect Christmas gift can be tricky but if your loved ones adore great tea or coffee, you’re already
For tea and coffee lovers, there’s nothing quite like the aroma and flavour of a perfectly brewed cup. Whether you enjoy a delicate loose leaf tea or a rich, freshly ground coffee, how you store your tea and coffee has a huge impact on taste, freshness, and aroma. At Penningtons Tea and Coffee, we believe great drinks start long before the kettle boils or the espresso machine heats up.
In this guide, we’ll explain the best way to store tea and coffee to keep them fresher for longer, helping you get the most out of every cup.
Tea leaves and coffee beans are natural products. Once harvested and processed, they begin to slowly lose their freshness. Exposure to air, light, heat, moisture, and strong odours accelerates this process, leading to dull flavours and flat aromas.
By storing your tea and coffee correctly, you can:
Oxygen is one of the biggest enemies of tea. Loose leaf tea and tea bags should always be stored in airtight containers. Once opened, reseal packaging tightly or transfer tea into a sealed tin or jar.
Tip: Avoid containers that are opened frequently or left loosely closed.
Light, especially sunlight, can degrade tea leaves and affect both flavour and colour. Store tea in opaque or dark-coloured containers, and keep them away from windows or bright kitchen shelves.
Tea should be kept in a cool, dry place. Heat and humidity can cause tea to lose flavour quickly and may even encourage mould growth.
Avoid storing tea:
Tea leaves easily absorb surrounding odours. Storing tea near spices, herbs, or cleaning products can alter its taste.
Always store tea separately and in sealed containers to protect its natural aroma.
At Penningtons Tea and Coffee, we recommend buying tea little and often for the freshest experience.
Whole coffee beans stay fresher for longer than pre-ground coffee. Grinding releases aromatic oils, which quickly oxidise.
For the best flavour, buy whole beans and grind just before brewing.
Like tea, coffee needs protection from air. Store beans or ground coffee in an airtight container with a tight seal.
Avoid containers that:
Coffee should be stored in a cool, dark place, such as a cupboard or pantry. Light and heat accelerate flavour loss and can make coffee taste stale.
A common myth is that coffee stays fresher in the fridge or freezer. In reality, coffee absorbs moisture and odours easily, which can ruin the flavour.
Room temperature storage in a sealed container is best for everyday use.
For peak flavour, we recommend using coffee as fresh as possible and buying in quantities you’ll use within a few weeks.
High-quality packaging, like that used by Penningtons Tea and Coffee, is designed to protect freshness. If the packaging is resealable and opaque, it can be suitable for short-term storage.
However, for long-term freshness, transferring tea and coffee to dedicated airtight containers offers better protection.
When choosing storage containers, look for:
Metal tins, ceramic jars, and dark glass containers are all excellent options.
Even the best storage can’t improve poor-quality tea or coffee. Starting with fresh, high-quality products makes all the difference.
At Penningtons Tea and Coffee, we source and roast with care to ensure every blend delivers exceptional flavour. With the right storage, you can enjoy that quality for longer in every cup.
Looking to refresh your tea cupboard or coffee collection? Explore the full range of Penningtons Tea and Coffee and experience the difference that freshness makes.
By storing your tea and coffee correctly, you’ll protect their flavour, aroma, and character—so every brew is as good as the first.
Finding the perfect Christmas gift can be tricky but if your loved ones adore great tea or coffee, you’re already
Discover how to brew tea perfectly every time with Penningtons’ expert guide to temperatures, timing, and techniques for every blend.