Can You Freeze Tea?

Last updated on August 6th, 2022 at 08:56 am

Tea is a refreshing and flavorful drink. This aromatic beverage is made by pouring hot water over leaves or herbs to create a delicious flavored beverage. Tea has been around for centuries and today many love the taste of tea. 

There is a wide variety of different types of teas ranging from green tea to fruit flavored teas. You can drink tea hot for a warm hug in a mug or cold for an icy refresher. 

If you are a tea lover, You likely drink tea quite often. If you are a tea lover who is always on the go, you probably don’t have the time to brew fresh tea whenever you are craving some. 

In this case you may wonder, can you freeze tea for later?

You can freeze tea. By freezing the tea properly, you can have it on hand for whenever you want a refreshing drink or use it for some delightful tea flavored recipes.

When you want to save tea for later, freeze it! And when I say you can freeze tea I mean brewed tea. Don’t try to freeze tea bags or leaves. This will create moisture and age the tea. 

Tea bags and leaves should be kept at room temperature and not in the freezer. However, brewed tea can be stored in the freezer. Tea lasts for a good 6 months when frozen. It is recommended that you make the tea stronger if you are going to freeze it as well as sweetening it up some. 

You don’t want the ice to mask the taste of the tea after it has been frozen.

Glass containers work well for freezing tea in, just leave  1 to 2 inches of space at the top for expansion. Plastic bottles and other airtight containers also work well for freezing tea in. To thaw tea, just pour it into a shallow dish and then defrost on the counter or in the fridge until it turns liquidy again. 

You can also freeze tea in ice cube trays for tea flavored ice cubes or even ice pops. Tea slushies can also be made with the frozen tea by blending it. All that to say, you can freeze tea and it does freeze well for wherever you want to enjoy some later. 

How Long Does Tea Last In The Freezer?

Storing tea in the freezer is a great way to keep it good for longer. Regular tea only lasts a few days in the fridge. By freezing tea, you can lengthen this time considerably. 

So, how long does tea last in the freezer?

When properly stored, tea lasts for about 6 months in the freezer. Whether you are freezing it in an airtight container or in ice cube form, frozen tea will last for many weeks to months.

According to, How Long Does Brewed Tea Last?, “But how long does brewed tea last?…it lasts up to 5 days in the fridge and up to 6 months in the freezer…For some, this option is a no-brainer. But others, myself included, may not have even known that tea keeps well in the freezer. If you want to whip up a few pots of your favorite beverage and save some for later, then any amount you won’t be able to consume within three to five days should go in the freezer. Brewed tea can easily last in your freezer for a period of six months.”

If you store the tea properly you can expect to preserve it for 3 to 5 days in the fridge or a full 6 months in the freezer. Freezing slows down the process of the tea going bad so it will last for much longer. 

So, if you end up with a lot of extra tea, why not freeze it? You can use the frozen tea in several different ways and it will still taste good when you are ready to use it weeks or months later.

What Is The Best Way To Store Tea?

Now, we have already been discussing freezing brewed tea. But, whether it is brewed, loose, or tea bags, what is the best way to store tea?

The best way to store tea depends on if it is brewed or not. Brewed tea should be stored in the refrigerator or for long-term storage, in the freezer. Loose leaf tea or tea bags should be stored in a cool, dark, and dry place.

The best way to store loose leaf teas or tea bags is away from sunlight, heat and moisture. Over time, these elements can damage the tea’s leaves and/or change the taste of your tea. 

It is best to keep the tea on a shelf, in a  drawer, or in a pantry in a cool and dark place to keep it good. 

As far as brewed tea is concerned, we already mentioned the best way to store it and that is in the refrigerator. It will stay good there for 3 to 5 days. 

The best way to store tea long-term is in the freezer where it will stay good for up to 6 months.

The article, Does Tea Expire? How to Store Your Tea So It Lasts Longer, discusses storing loose tea (the same can be applied for tea bags as well) by saying, “Freshness matters. Fresh tea tastes sweeter, and fresh teas are more aromatic, more complex, and packed with more antioxidants…Protect tea from air and moisture…store green tea and greener oolong teas in an airtight container to keep your tea fresh…Protect green teas from light: Do not use glass canisters to store your tea. Light can damage your tea and decrease its shelf life…Protect teas from heat…Heat accelerates chemical changes, so store your tea away from direct heat sources…Enjoy green teas when they are fresh: Drink your most seasonal teas in the season they are picked to get the most out of them…”

Final Thoughts

You can freeze tea. Frozen brewed tea can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months and still taste good when you want to use it in upcoming weeks or months. You can use frozen tea for slushies, ice cubes, or defrost it for a refreshing drink. 

The best way to store tea depends on if it is brewed or not. Loose leaf tea should be stored in a cool, dark and dry place while brewed tea should be stored in the fridge or freezer. As you can see, tea freezes well and is great for when you want to save it for later.