In general, most teas can last for 6 months to a year if stored properly. However, some teas, like pu-erh and aged white teas, can last for several years and even improve with age. On the other hand, herbal teas and teas with added flavorings or oils may have a shorter shelf life.
Tea doesn't expire. It just has a 'best by' date. It never spoils or becomes unsafe to drink if stored correctly. The flavor will change and fade over time. It gradually gets more and more muted in most cases.
Tea doesn't expire. It just has a 'best by' date. It never spoils or becomes unsafe to drink if stored correctly. The flavor will change and fade over time. It gradually gets more and more muted in most cases.
Tea doesn't expire. It just has a 'best by' date. It never spoils or becomes unsafe to drink if stored correctly. The flavor will change and fade over time. It gradually gets more and more muted in most cases.
White, Pu'Erh, and Oolong teas can age magnificently and in fact there are proverbs like “one year tea, three years medicine, seven years treasure” for white tea. “10 years is good, 20 is better, 30+ is best” for Pu'Erh tea.
Can you drink 20 year old tea? Tea does not expire, but depending on how it was stored and exposed to heat, drinking 20 year old tea may not be advisable.
While it's not dangerous like eating spoiled meat, drinking expired tea offers a less-than-ideal experience. The flavors will be muted, and the aroma diminished. However, unlike stale bread that becomes tough to chew, old tea won't harm you unless it's moldy.
You Detect a Strong, Unpleasant Odor Coming from Your Tea
If your tea doesn't smell quite right, it might be a sign of mold or bacteria growth. If the aroma is robust and unpleasant, you're better off discarding it. And if there's no discernible odor after brewing the tea, then it could be that the tea has gone bad.
Generally speaking, unopened, store-bought iced tea can last for several months beyond the expiration date if stored in a cool, dark place. Once opened, its shelf life decreases, and you should consume it within 7 to 10 days for optimal taste.
How long can I keep Lipton teas? Our teas are date stamped for your convenience. Tea shelf life varies by the type of tea. Most of our teas, including Black, Iced Tea Brew, Cold Brew Tea, Herbal, Black Flavored Teas, Earl Grey and English Breakfast, can be enjoyed up to 18 months from the production date.
Signs that your tea has expired include a loss of aroma and flavor, a stale or musty smell, and a change in color. In some cases, expired tea can also develop mold or become infested with insects, which is a clear indication that it is no longer safe to consume.
Coffee and tea also count in your tally. Many used to believe that they were dehydrating, but that myth has been debunked. The diuretic effect does not offset hydration.
Inflammation is an immune system reaction to fight infection. Chamomile tea contains compounds that may reduce inflammation. Long-term inflammation is linked to various health problems, including hemorrhoids, gastrointestinal pain, arthritis, autoimmune disorders, obesity, and depression.
The answer is yes. In general, it is recommended to consume tea within two years of its manufacture to benefit from its best taste and nutritional qualities. However, after this time, drinking expired tea poses no health risk. The main change will be a loss of taste and, potentially, a reduction in certain nutrients.
Black Teas: 2-3 Years
Black tea has been fully oxidized during manufacturing, meaning that it's not as susceptible to air exposure as lighter teas like green tea (though, proper storage is still recommended to keep black tea fresh).
TEAS Exam scores are usually valid for two years. However, there are a couple of exceptions: 1. Each school sets its own admissions criteria, so each school may have a separate policy as to how far back they will accept TEAS scores.
If the tea was made and stored safely, it is still safe to drink, even if it's old.
All of our bottled iced teas and multi-pack outer wraps have a Best Taste Date, which is very different from an expiration date found on perishable items such as dairy and meat products. Our Best Taste Date is a self-imposed indicator located on the shoulder of our bottles and on our multi-pack outer wraps.
Tea must have an expiration date printed on the packaging, but will typically be safe to drink long after that. Tea rarely expires, but it can lose its aroma and become stale. Tea is not a perishable food and will not turn rancid.
But if you're still unsure based on your sniff test alone, the next best thing to do is make a cup and give it a taste. According to Kaur, fresh tea should be fragrant and flavorful; if it lacks aroma or has a stale aftertaste, it's likely past its prime.
Mold in Tea Bags.
Tea leaves are susceptible to mold growth and mycotoxins depending on how they are grown, stored and fermented and organic tea grown without fungicides are particularly prone.
Look for signs of discoloration or mold, which can indicate tea was improperly stored and should be tossed. Give the leaves a whiff.
The fermentation period creates carbon dioxide (CO2) and a variety of acids, including lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, gluconic acid and glucuronic acid. Furthermore, it transforms the Tea's natural sugars into ethanol, thereby making it alcoholic.
Tea should be stored in an airtight container, away from heat, water and light. Lipton advises consumers that most of its teas can be safely consumed for up to 18 months after the production date and specifies that bottled teas have a date listed on the cap for convenience.
If the heating up process takes too long, it's possible that tea leaves get fermented again and develop the sour taste. Furthermore, area of production also has an impact on the fermentation process. For example, Tongmu Village, the birthplace of black tea, has a high elevation and high humidity.