In recent years, the saying “the older, the better” has become increasingly popular. However, it's important to note that not all types of Tea follow this rule, such as Green Tea and Yellow Tea. So, how can you tell if a particular tea has expired? Today, we will guide you through several steps to help you understand this issue.
How to Determine If Tea Has Expired?
Step One: Observe the Color of Dry Tea Leaves
New tea leaves, having been recently processed, tend to have intact strands and vibrant colors, giving them a fresh appearance, especially in the case of green tea. If the tea has expired or aged excessively, the color of the dry leaves will appear dull and lack luster. Generally speaking, after aging, green tea leaves will undergo noticeable changes in color.
Step Two: Smell the Aroma of Dry Tea Leaves
Another common method to determine if tea has expired is by smelling the aroma of the dry leaves. Fresh tea usually has a clear and natural fragrance with distinct characteristics, such as floral or fruity scents. Improperly stored or old tea often carries off odors, such as musty or moldy smells, which are unpleasant to the nose.
Step Three: Feel the Moisture of Dry Tea Leaves
The moisture level of dry tea leaves can also indicate potential issues. Commercially sold tea has strict requirements for moisture content, generally not exceeding 7%. Over time, the moisture content of stored tea increases due to prolonged inactivity. How can you judge this? If the dry leaves easily break and crumble into powder, it indicates that the moisture content is within acceptable limits. If they do not break easily and feel damp, then the moisture content is too high.
Step Four: Taste the Infused Tea
The methods mentioned above apply to dry tea leaves. To accurately determine if the tea has expired, tasting the infused tea provides a more precise assessment. Properly stored tea, when brewed, produces a full-bodied and lively flavor that is pleasant to Drink. Expired tea, due to the oxidation of its internal components, results in a bland taste and a noticeable wateriness when brewed.
Observing the color, smelling the aroma, checking the moisture level, and tasting the flavor are all part of assessing the quality of tea. Through these four steps, we can roughly determine if the tea has expired or deteriorated. For those who store tea at home, these methods can be used to check if the tea has expired. We hope this knowledge proves useful to everyone.