Does tea go bad? What is the shelf life of loose leaf tea?

does-tea-go-bad

Have you come across an old tea container with a date on the label that is much past its expiration date? That’s when you have to wonder that ”Does tea go bad? What is the shelf life of loose leaf tea?”.

Tea does not go bad the way most foods do, but it also does not maintain its quality indefinitely.

The longer it lies in storage and the worse the circumstances are, the more likely your tea will taste bland.

Do you want to understand more about tea’s shelf life, expiration, and how to use expired tea? This is a tutorial for you.

Does tea go bad?

tea
Does tea go bad?

Because teas are unfermented, it has the lowest shelf life of any tea kind. While we can be a little more flexible with our oxidized black teas when it comes to storage, green teas have the most stringent requirements. Indeed, there are many legends that black teas were invented for the purpose of having teas that could withstand long shipping. While most green teas were consumed locally in China at the time, black teas were shipped to distant regions. That is Europe and the United States of America.

Green teas from Japan, in particular, have the shortest shelf life of any country. Have you noticed how dark green they are? Sencha and gyokuro, for example. Also, how about that extremely fresh, grassy scent? That is one of the telltale marks of their freshness. With such newness comes a great deal of responsibility.

Within a year, we recommend consuming Japanese green teas. You can extend the shelf life of these items by 6 months by storing them in the refrigerator before opening. Because its freshness may quickly deteriorate, we recommend consuming it soon after opening. Japanese green teas should be purchased in smaller quantities.

Related article:

1. How much loose leaf tea per cup for perfect taste?

2. How much caffeine is in green tea? How to reduce it?

3. How long does loose tea leaf last? Tips to keep it fresh

Does loose leaf tea go bad?

loose-leaf-tea-go-bad
Does loose leaf tea go bad?

Next in line are light oolongs, which are also relatively fresh, although oxidized. Please drink light oolongs within 2 years.

Dark oolongs and black teas have a three-year shelf life after which their flavor and aroma begin to fade. If the aroma of your black teas is poor, it has most likely expired. When brewed, it will have a drab and gray flavor rather than a beautiful golden color. The flavor is bland and harsh.

Oolongs that have been aged usually last a long period. Each sort of aged oolong has a different expiration date. Don’t be frightened to keep it around; simply sample it every now and then to observe how the flavor changes. Is it becoming better and smoother, or is it getting worse?

White teas are a special breed altogether. Being the least fermented and closest to the original leaf.

White teas has been used as a medicinal in China for many years. It will last a long time if properly stored. With time, the taste and qualities will improve dramatically. If you’re buying loose leaf white teas, don’t be scared to buy a lot of it. It can be divided in half. One portion is meant to be enjoyed right now, while the other is meant to be saved for future enjoyment. Keeping a tea notebook and noting how it changes is recommended. After one year, three years, and seven years, brew it again. What differences have you noticed? Take note of the aroma, taste, and mouthfeel, as well as how it makes you feel.

3 Tips to tell if tea has gone bad

tea-has-gone-bad
3 Tips to tell if tea has gone bad

1. Aroma
The distinct herbal, woodsy smell makes tea such a popular beverage. However, with time and exposure to oxygen, teas will oxidize and lose its unique aroma. To check for freshness, take a whiff of the teas. If you are struggling to catch the usual herbal smell, the teas is no longer fresh.

2. Taste
Just like its smell, tea also has a unique taste. A box of tealeaves that is no longer fresh will produce a weak brew. The color of the beverage will also look dull. Some people describe the taste of tea that has gone bad as ‘flat and ‘tasting like cardboard.’

3. Appearance
Mold is a clear sign that teas has gone bad. Mold spores will grow on teas that has been exposed to moisture. If you notice traces of mold, that is your cue to throw out that bag of tea leaves.

Apart from mold spores, tea that is no longer fresh will lose its deep, rich, and vibrant color with black teas turning gray and green teas turning yellowish.

As you can see, it doesn’t take a great deal to check the freshness of teas. Trust your senses here. If the teas tastes, smells, or looks off, in all likelihood, it has lost its freshness.

As long as it doesn’t have mold, you can still go ahead and brew the tea but you will probably miss out on the deep, rich flavors of fresh tea leaves.

What can I do with expired tea?

The fact that the leaves aren’t drinkable doesn’t mean they have to be thrown away. Tea that has passed its expiration date can still be useful! You can cure mid athlete’s foot

Modern science found that teas contains a lot of tannic acids, which has a strong bactericidal effect, especially for filamentous bacteria that cause athlete’s foot. Therefore, brew the tea into a thick sauce and use it to wash feet every night. It will cure the athlete’s foot. If you have an athlete’s foot, use the expired teas leave to cure it.

Step 1: Brew expired tea leaves. Discard tea water and keep the teas leaves.

Step 2: Put brewed tea leaves in a foot basin. And add 5L warm water of 70-degree centigrade.

Step 3: Add some white vinegar and mix it up.

Step 4: Leave it there for a while. And the effective constituent in teas leaves will spread out.

Step 5: Soak your feet in it for 15 minutes. Two times a day. One to two weeks will see it work.

Find more good methods and share them with us.

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