How long is the shelf life of tea? How to store tea? Tea has a certain shelf life, so when purchasing, it's important to check the date. If buying loose tea, pay even more attention to its quality. Of course, proper storage later on is also very important; it should be placed in a well-ventilated, shaded, and dry area. Otherwise, even if it hasn't expired, the tea may become undrinkable due to spoilage.
As a food product meant for consumption, tea naturally has a shelf life. This is indisputable, but different types of tea have varying shelf lives depending on their production methods and storage conditions.
Green Tea
When drinking green tea, freshness is key, so new tea can typically be consumed after being stored for half a month or a month. Green tea, being unfermented, has higher storage requirements. If not stored properly, it can turn yellow, significantly reducing its aroma and flavor.
The shelf life of green tea is the shortest because it is not fermented and requires higher storage standards. Generally, at room temperature, the shelf life is about 1 year. If improperly stored, it may begin to wither and lose flavor within 8 to 9 months. Of course, if you're a connoisseur and have a dedicated refrigerator for storing green tea, the shelf life can be extended to around 18 months.
Yellow Tea
Yellow tea undergoes an additional process called “damping,” making it the most understated and least prominent type of tea, which is relatively rare in the market. Yellow tea should be consumed within the same year to best showcase its qualities.
Its shelf life does not improve much due to the damping process. About one year, give or take.
White Tea
White tea is a slightly fermented tea, with a simple production method that preserves the most original taste of tea, often referred to as “one-year tea, three-year medicine, seven-year treasure.” Fresh white tea is cool in nature, and its medicinal properties are not yet apparent. Therefore, it is best to drink it after a certain number of years when its character becomes milder, its flavor richer, and its medicinal properties more pronounced.
The longer it is stored, the higher its value and flavor. Of course, this assumes proper storage; if not stored correctly, no matter how good the tea is, it will turn into dregs.
Oolong Tea (Qingcha)
Oolong tea, also known as Qingcha, is a semi-fermented tea. Drinking oolong tea emphasizes aroma, so it is best consumed in the same year. Due to the roasting process involved in its production, newly made tea should be stored for at least two months before the fire dissipates, enhancing its taste and preventing heatiness from consuming it too soon.
However, lightly roasted teas like Tieguanyin and Wenshan Baozhong do not have a long shelf life. Generally, if stored in the refrigerator, they can last up to 18 months. For those that are roasted, like Wuyi rock tea, they can still be enjoyed even after two years.
Black Tea
Black tea is a fully fermented tea that is best consumed in the second year. Fresh black tea has a good aroma, but its flavor is not as smooth and mellow. If stored for a year before drinking, the aroma becomes more subtle, and the tea liquor becomes softer, smoother, and more mellow.
Being a fully fermented tea, black tea has a longer shelf life and can be stored for over two years. However, even with proper storage, it will start to change flavor after two years, so it is best not to wait until then to drink it.
Dark Tea (Heicha)
Dark tea is primarily post-fermented, with the characteristic of improving in flavor with age. It can be stored for a long time in a clean, moisture-free, and odorless environment. However, after Fermentation, it does not have the infinite potential of raw Pu'er and white tea. Generally, loose tea reaches its optimal flavor after 3 to 5 years. If compressed, it can be stored for 10 to 15 years without much increase in value. If the tea leaves are of high quality, the longer it is stored, the better the tea tastes. Older teas have a strong qi and can help dispel cold when brewed in Winter.
Pu'er Tea
As the most popular tea in recent years, Pu'er tea's characteristic of becoming more fragrant with age has been hyped by collectors. If stored properly, ripe Pu'er tea generally lasts over 15 years, while raw Pu'er becomes more fragrant and valuable with age.
In summary, the shelf life of tea depends on the specific type of tea! If you're a novice tea drinker, you might consider trying the teas that experienced drinkers often consume! Experienced tea drinkers have been in the tea world for many years and naturally have hidden gems!
How long is the shelf life of tea? Many people choose to store tea in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life. The purpose of storing tea in the fridge is to prevent spoilage and maintain its taste and aroma!
All teas can be stored at low temperatures, with the recommended storage temperature generally between 0 to 5 degrees Celsius, not lower or higher than this range. However, teas with a long shelf life like aged white tea, Pu'er tea, and dark tea don't need to be refrigerated! They can be stored in a cool, ventilated place where the temperature does not exceed 25 degrees Celsius!