All our teas are packaged and shipped on the same day that your payment is received. Our bags are triple layered and flavor block to keep teas fresh. Without exposures to light, heat, moisture and air, our teas have shelf life of 1-2 years. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. JAPANESE SENCHA:Sencha is arguably one of the world's most popular green teas. The leaves are steamed processed resulting in a very fresh, flavorful and remarkably smooth taste. HOT TEA: Put a slightly heaping tsp of loose tea for each 8oz of freshly boiled water. Steep 3-7 minutes. Add sugar. Milk is not recommended for this tea. ICED TEA: 6 slightly heaping tsp of loose tea for each 1QT iced tea. Pour 1 1/4 cup boiling water on tea. Steep 5 minutes. Quarter fill serving pitcher with cold water. Pour into pitcher straining tea. Add ice.