The Ultimate Guide to Storing Bulk Tea and Spices

People can be put off buying consumable items like tea and herbs in bulk because they're worried about the product spoiling or losing its taste before they can use it all. These products are long-lasting though as long as they are stored correctly. 

In this guide we will tell you how to store your items in a way that gets you maximum shelf life so you can enjoy all the benefits of bulk buying including:

• The Best Price: Cutting down on packaging and transport costs means suppliers can offer you great costs for wholesale purchases.

• Lower Carbon Footprint: Those transport and packaging savings we mentioned above also mean that each bulk order is better for the environment than multiple smaller orders.

• Reliable Stock Levels: With larger packages and a range of sizes available, it’s easier to keep what you need on hand instead of frequent re-ordering for sell-out items or one tea sitting in storage for a long time.

Why Proper Storage Matters

You've done a bulk order and now you might be wondering why you can't just put the package in a convenient location like under the sink and forget about it until your current stock runs out. Well, correct storage will ensure that when you come to use it, you'll still have a fresh tasty product.

Storing your goods incorrectly can affect the quality so even if they're still safe to use your customers would end up with an inferior product that doesn't reflect your business and could lead to a bad review or a lack of repeat custom.

While teas, herbs, and spices have a long shelf life meaning buying in bulk is worth it, they are susceptible to damage from the elements. Protecting them from these outside forces keeps their vibrant colour and rich aromas intact for a pleasurable eating or drinking experience.

Specifically, you need to keep your teas and herbs away from:

• Heat: Keeping your items in a hot place can lessen the flavour impact when you come to use it.
• Sunlight: UV rays can reduce flavour and smell and dull colour.
• Moisture: This can lead to mould growth or cause the product to clump together and lose flavour.
• Oxygen: Too much exposure to the air can start the essential oils responsible for flavour and health benefits breaking down.

The Best Container Choices & Storage Places

Now you know what you're protecting your herbs and teas from, it's time to discuss the best storage containers. Always look for something airtight. Glass jars are a great choice to keep your herbs and teas safe from oxygen and moisture contamination but if they aren't going to be in a dark room, it's best to choose a tinted glass such as amber so light cannot get through. These jars are great for loose leaf teas so you can see some of the vibrant colours through the jar although they will be blurred a little by tinted glass.

For frequent use items like herbs and spices, lightweight tin containers allow for easy use while protecting from light, air, and moisture.

Depending on the size of your business, you could pour your teas and herbs into vacuum sealed bags. This would remove the presence of air and moisture and allow you to store them for longer periods. For smaller businesses, you could use foil lined food-safe bags. These reseal in between uses helping keep out moisture and oxygen.

Once you've decided how you're storing your products, it's time to consider where you're keeping them. Cool, dry places are always best, reducing that exposure to heat and moisture. If you want to keep some of your loose teas or spices in glass jars as display items, ensure they aren't in direct sunlight.

Many people assume everything should be stored in the fridge for ultimate freshness but with dried goods like these they can clump or spoil due to the moisture inside, so they're best stored in separate spaces, temperature-controlled if at all possible. It's also not ideal to use a cupboard next to or near an oven or a hob because of the frequent heat and moisture.

Approximate Shelf Lives of Products

Dried goods last a long time before spoiling but they will go off eventually as with any consumables. We'll list the approximate shelf lives of common goods here but it's always best to check when you're opening a new container. If the product smells strange, has lost its taste, or is discoloured it's best to get a new batch.

• Bark & Root Spices: These goods, such as cinnamon, can last up to 3 years with good storage.
• Seeds: These last between 2 and 3 years.
• Loose Leaf Teas: Herbal teas made up of dried leaves and flowers last around 1-2 years when following these storage tips.
• Ground Spices: Generally, these last 1-2 years. There are of course plenty of spices so individual ones may vary.

Helpful Storage Tips

• When pouring your bulk goods into new containers, always label and date them. This allows you to rotate them so you're always using them in date order. It also means you won't have to open them to check what they are as that will introduce air and moisture.

• If you have the capability to grind them yourself, whole spices last longer than ground.

• If you are placing teabags out for people to help themselves to, it's worth investing in a dedicated teabag storage container with labels and separate compartments for each type. This prevents the aromas mixing which could affect the tastes. With clear labelling, it will also stop people searching through and touching teabags unnecessarily which introduces moisture and risks damage and therefore waste.

At Teavision, we offer great pricing on bulk orders. Now you know how to store them why not sign up for a wholesale account.

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