Michael Plant > wrote in message >...

>> Many of us buy our teas during strategically chosen months in order
to get
> the tea fresh. A tea processed in April might be in my hands three weeks
> after processing. That's not so bad. I don't know where you got that 9 month
> figure. Reliable vendors come in with a pretty fresh product.

Many teas, particularly the long leaf orthodox processed teas,
actually mature in the early months after processing. A hasty rush
for "freshness" now afforded by air freighting can put teas onto the
market before they have matured, equilibrated or "chemically settled
down". The exact process is poorly understood scientifically but in my
experience three weeks is too short (for black teas at least).
Maturation of most blacks is more a period of three to four months.
Nitrogen gas flushing and vacuum packing inhibits this natural
process, and though touted as providing garden fresh teas, is truly
only of service for CTC processed teas that actually benefit from
early drinking.

Nigel at Teacraft