As we all know, tea is a kind of food and therefore has a certain shelf life. However, the length of the shelf life is related to its manufacturing process. There are different types of tea: Black Tea, green tea, red tea, white tea, yellow tea, and oolong tea. Below is an introduction to the shelf life of tea.
What is the shelf life of tea?
Generally, fresh tea is better. For example, the shelf life of green tea is usually around one year when stored at room temperature. Of course, it mainly depends on how well you store it. If stored properly, the shelf life can be quite long.
1. Black Tea
Black tea is known for getting better with age. The longest shelf life among teas is typically for black tea. Brick tea is best stored for 10 to 15 years, qianliang tea for 10 to 15 years, and loose leaf tea for 5 to 10 years, as these periods offer the highest economic and drinking value. High-quality teas made from premium ingredients are enjoyable after being stored for 1 to 2 years.
Puer tea is divided into raw and ripe varieties. Generally, the shelf life of raw Puer is around 5 years, while ripe Puer, which undergoes special fermentation, improves with age and can be stored for over 15 years.
2. Green Tea
The shelf life of green tea, when stored at room temperature, is about one year. Since green tea is not fermented, it requires higher storage standards compared to other teas and has the shortest shelf life. If stored in a Refrigerator, the shelf life can be extended.
3. Red Tea (Black Tea)
The shelf life of red tea (black tea) is also relatively short, usually around one year. If the red tea is harvested during spring or autumn, its shelf life is 1 to 2 years. For loose-leaf red tea, the shelf life is 18 months; bagged red tea typically lasts 24 months, and paper-packaged red tea can last about two years.
4. White Tea
Generally, the shelf life of tea is around two years, and even after two years, if stored well, the aroma will gradually fade. However, this is not the case with white tea. Like raw Puer tea, the longer it is stored, the richer and more fragrant it becomes. It is often said that white tea is “one-year tea, three-year medicine, seven-year treasure.” Generally, five to six-year-old white tea can be considered aged, and ten to twenty-year-old white tea is very rare. The longer white tea is stored, the higher its medicinal value, making aged white tea highly collectible. The saying “one-year tea, three-year medicine, seven-year treasure” applies only if the tea is stored properly. White tea should generally be stored sealed to avoid losing moisture or becoming damp. Proper storage is essential to achieve the “one-year tea, three-year medicine, seven-year treasure” effect.
5. Yellow Tea
Yellow tea is a Fermented tea that goes through an additional process called “men-dui” compared to green tea. Therefore, the shelf life of yellow tea is similar to that of green tea, usually around one year.
6. Oolong Tea
The typical shelf life of oolong tea is around 1 to 2 years. At room temperature, it lasts for one year, but if refrigerated, it can be extended by six months. Roasted oolong tea does not need to be refrigerated and should be stored in a cool, dry, and ventilated place.
In summary, it's best to consume tea within its shelf life. Once past its expiration date, the flavor of the tea gradually declines, significantly affecting the taste experience.