Freezing Teabags?

Tim brought along a big bag of Tetley tea because I wasn't sure if US Tetley would match up to his standards (as the last time I ever had US Tetley tea it was really weak).  He decided to leave the bag here for his next visit, but his next visit won't be until November at the earliest (and maybe not until Jan/Feb 2010).

Can I put the teabags in a freezer bag and just freeze it until he comes back?  Any other suggestions for preserving the tea for several months?

As it's only about a quid for a box of Tetley, why not just have him bring some more over for his next visit?

Keep it in a dark, airtight container - like a tin cannister.

As it's only about a quid for a box of Tetley, why not just have him bring some more over for his next visit?

I know but it just seems so wasteful to just let it go bad. I can't drink it since I can't have caffeine, so I don't want to waste it.

Keep it in a dark, airtight container - like a tin cannister.

I have several of those. Thanks!  Should I take the tea bags out of their container first or stick the whole thing in?

Tea doesn't really go bad, just loses a bit of potency.  Keep it anywhere dark, cool, and dry and it'll be totally fine when Tim gets back.

Tea doesn't really go bad, just loses a bit of potency.  Keep it anywhere dark, cool, and dry and it'll be totally fine when Tim gets back.

I've had some questionable tea before though. Granted, the tea bags were well over 5 years old and we're only talking a few months here!

Or you could vacuum pack them.  Storing them in the freezer would likely just cause them to get damp or absorb the odours from the other foods.

I have several of those. Thanks!  Should I take the tea bags out of their container first or stick the whole thing in?

Do you mean the foil packs? I usually leave them in that but really, as long as it's cool, dark, and airtight, they will be fine.

Do you mean the foil packs? I usually leave them in that but really, as long as it's cool, dark, and airtight, they will be fine.

No, they aren't in foil packs. The teabags are just loose in the bag they came in (sort of like a paper bag). 

Or you could vacuum pack them.  Storing them in the freezer would likely just cause them to get damp or absorb the odours from the other foods.

I hadn't thought of that.

I think I'll probably go with ziplock bagging them, squeezing the air out, and then putting them in a tea tin.

I think I'll probably go with ziplock bagging them, squeezing the air out, and then putting them in a tea tin.

That should do the trick.

Tea bags will last for ages - I think I once bought a big box and it lasted about 3 years! The tea was still fine