Loose-leaf tea has 3 main enemies: 1) Heat 2) Light and 3) Moisture. Exposure to any of these will degrade the quality of the loose-leaf and lead to stale tea which is to be avoided at all costs. Once you have opened your pouch and made your tea, squeeze out all the air and wrap it up tightly (all Tea & Glory pouches are re-sealable). Once you have done that, store it in the original box or an airtight container and away from light and any strong smells. Tea is hygroscopic, which means that it absorbs moisture and any smells from the surrounding environment. Unless the tea is specially vacuum-packed, do not store in the refrigerator, as this will create moisture inside the packet everytime the tea is removed. Just store in a cool, dark cupboard away from direct light and you will be fine. If you have any questions or are not sure of anything just drop us a line at: hello@teaandglory.com.