The Shelf life of Tea refers to its optimal tasting period. However, each type of tea has different appreciation angles; for green tea, it's all about its freshness and briskness. Therefore, the back of most green tea packaging will indicate a shelf life of 18 months. This means that, under normal circumstances, after 18 months, its freshness and briskness are virtually gone. However, this does not mean that drinking it after the expiration date is unsafe. On the contrary, if stored properly, the transformation of tea over the years may pleasantly surprise you.
How Long is the Shelf Life of the Six Types of Tea?
Green Tea (1 year)
Green tea is not fermented, making it the freshest among teas, and it is prone to oxidation upon exposure to sunlight and air.
The optimal tasting period for green tea is generally 12 months, which can be extended to 18 months with sealed refrigeration.
Huang Tea (2 years)
Huang tea undergoes an additional “yellowing” process compared to green tea, experiencing mild Fermentation. It is a unique category that finds Beauty in its yellow hue. Its optimal tasting period is 2 years.
White Tea (Long-term Storage)
White tea is neither stir-fried nor kneaded, allowing it to grow naturally. Fresh and sweet when young, rich and mellow when aged. There's a saying that it's “a one-year tea, a three-year medicine, and a seven-year treasure,” making it a clear winner in the world of tea.
Sealed, protected from light, and kept dry, white tea can be stored long-term, becoming more fragrant with age.
Oolong Tea (Around 3 years)
Oolong tea is a fascinating mix of fresh and robust qualities.
The optimal tasting period for lightly fermented oolong tea is 2 years, while heavily fermented oolong tea is typically best within 3 years.
Black Tea (3 years)
Black tea is fully fermented, exuding a charming floral and fruity fragrance, elegant and beautiful. Properly sealed black tea generally has an optimal tasting period of 3 years.
Dark Tea, Pu'er Tea (Long-term Storage)
Dark tea and Pu'er tea have the characteristic of becoming more fragrant with age and can be stored long-term under appropriate conditions. They need to be protected from light, kept dry, and stored away from odors.