How to Protect Your Herbs with the Right Storage Jar
Your dried herbs deserve better than a clear supermarket jar sitting on a sunlit shelf.
Whether you're storing culinary staples like chives, thyme, and rosemary, or more precious botanicals for teas and apothecary blends, the container you choose makes an enormous difference to how long those ingredients stay potent, fragrant, and vibrant.
Light is one of the main factors. The UV and visible portions of the spectrum can contribute to the breakdown of volatile oils, chlorophyll and the delicate compounds that give herbs their flavour, aroma and colour.
Light is only part of the picture. Oxygen, heat and moisture also affect how herbs change in storage, so the right jar works best alongside good storage habits.
This guide explores the science behind light-induced degradation, compares your storage options, and explains why many herbalists and apothecaries choose Miron® glass.
How Light Affects Your Herbs
The visible light spectrum runs from around 380nm to 700nm. Beyond it sits ultraviolet radiation (below 380nm) and infrared (above 700nm). UV light and the high-energy end of the visible spectrum are particularly relevant, and most clear kitchen storage jars do little to filter them.
Chlorophyll, essential oils, flavonoids, and terpenes — the compounds responsible for green colour, taste, and medicinal properties — can be sensitive to these wavelengths. Once broken down, they cannot be restored.
Miron glass is designed to selectively filter light, reducing transmission across specific regions of the spectrum while allowing selected wavelengths to pass through. Different glass compositions create different light environments, and Miron glass gives you more control over how much light reaches what's inside.
Clear vs Amber vs Miron® Glass
Clear Glass
Transmits most visible light and offers little filtering. Herbs kept in clear glass on a bright shelf tend to fade and lose aroma faster.
Little filteringAmber Glass
Absorbs much of the UV range and some visible light. A long-standing, practical choice, though it still lets through a share of visible light.
Partial filteringMiron® Glass
Designed around selective light filtration, reducing transmission across specific wavelengths while allowing selected wavelengths through. A distinctive choice for herbs and botanicals where light exposure matters.
Selective filtrationThe Right Jar
for Every Herb
Wide Neck Jars
Ideal for spices, seeds, dried flowers, teas, and powders in a range of heights and volumes.
Shop →Low / Stackable Jars
Short jars designed to stack neatly in a rack — beautifully functional in any kitchen.
Shop →Apothecary Jars
Elegant, timeless shapes perfect for dried herbs, bath salts, and specialty botanicals.
Shop →Oil Bottles
For herb-infused and essential oils, with matching pourer cap accessories.
Shop →6 Tips for Storing Dried Herbs Properly
Choose the right glass
Miron glass selectively filters light; clear glass, however stylish, does little to filter it.
Keep away from heat
Any jar suffers near a hob or oven. Heat accelerates oxidation — a cool, dark cupboard is always best.
Seal lids airtight
Oxygen degrades herbs almost as fast as light. Matching Miron screw caps and lids are available.
Label with date stored
No jar preserves herbs forever. Most dried herbs are at their best within 1–2 years.
Dry fully before jarring
Residual moisture leads to condensation and mould inside even the finest glass jar.
Store whole, not ground
Whole leaves and seeds last far longer than pre-ground. Grind only what you need.
Store Your Herbs in Miron® Glass
Explore the full Miron glass range — wide neck jars, apothecary jars, oil bottles and more.
Shop the Range Learn About Miron
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