Without a doubt, the fresher the Matcha, the higher the number of antioxidants and health benefits you will benefit from. Much of these health benefits come from the way the Matcha plant camellia sinensis is grown in the shade, with only the newest shoots picked and then steamed. Finally, the Tencha (matcha leaves) is slowly ground to a fine powder and vacuumed packed to prevent further oxidisation.
Similar to coffee, Matcha will start oxidising as soon as you open the packaging. For this reason, it is essential to properly store your Matcha powder to preserve its sweet flavour and catechins.
The best way to store your Matcha powder
Exposing your Matcha powder to oxygen will quickly deteriorate the health benefits of this vibrant tea. The best way to store your Matcha powder is in an airtight container.
The best airtight containers feature a vacuum pump that sucks out the oxygen in the container and also creating a vacuum seal. Further to this, it is best to place the container in a cool dark spot rather than on your window sill. The ideal vacuum container is opaque or dark in colour to prevent exposure to light.
What about storing Matcha tea in the fridge or freezer?
One way to keep your Matcha tea fresher for longer is to store your Matcha powder in an airtight container, in the fridge. Your refrigerator will prevent heat and moisture from deteriorating the quality of the powder. This is a particularly good option if you live in a warm or humid climate.
Be aware, however, that unless you store the Matcha tea in an air-tight container it is likely to absorb the smells and flavours from your left-overs. I'll tell you first hand that Matcha and Chicken Korma do not go well together.
We do not recommend storing Matcha in the freezer. This can expose the tea to moisture, particularly when thawing.
How long does Matcha Powder Last?
Matcha powder has a shelf life of approximately one year. It is best to enjoy your Matcha within a month of opening, this is because the exposure to air, smells, heat and humidity will quickly deteriorate the flavour and health benefits of the powder. If you want to extend the life of the Matcha, store the powder in an airtight vacuum container our of the sun and heat.
The next best option is to purchase your Matcha powder in small quantities, opening only when you have finished the last container. You will notice that the Chalait Matcha powder comes in 30g tins. This gives you 15 fresh servings of matcha.
Can Matcha powder go bad?
Unless matcha powder has been left in humid conditions where it can go mouldy, Matcha will not go 'bad' per se. Matcha powder should be a vibrant green colour. As it deteriorates its colour will diminish to a brownish-green.
The age of the Matcha will certainly affect the taste. For this reason, Matcha powder that is past its expiry date is perhaps best to throw it out.