The expired tea should not be consumed. Tea is a common beverage in daily life, made by processing fresh leaves of the tea plant through various procedures to create semi-finished or finished products. Tea generally has a shelf life, and it is recommended to discard the tea once it exceeds this period, rather than consuming it.
How long is the shelf life of tea exactly?
Based on factors such as the raw materials and production techniques, Chinese teas can be categorized into six major types, each with varying shelf lives.
1. Green tea, being the most prominent among the six categories, enjoys widespread popularity in China. As an unfermented tea, under normal circumstances, green tea has a shelf life of around 18 months.
People tend to enjoy green tea for its freshness and brisk taste, so it is best not to store it for too long, as doing so would diminish its flavor significantly.
Yellow Tea, which undergoes an additional “yellowing” process compared to green tea, is a slightly fermented tea, and its shelf life is similar to that of green tea.
2. Black Tea, a fully fermented tea, does not require further aging after fermentation, thus it also has a limited shelf life, typically around 2 years, during which consumption is optimal.
3. The shelf life of Oolong Tea depends on its degree of fermentation; lightly fermented Oolong tea has a shelf life similar to green tea, around 18 months, while highly fermented oolong tea can be stored for 2 to 3 years.
4. Dark tea (Hei Cha) and white tea can both be stored for extended periods, provided the storage conditions are suitable.
If properly stored, these two types of tea can be kept for 10 to 15 years. Over time, their internal compounds transform, imparting a unique aged aroma and a smooth, rich mouthfeel.
Can expired tea still be consumed?
The shelf life of tea essentially refers to its optimal consumption period, during which one can savor the best flavors of the tea.
Once this period has passed, it does not strictly mean the tea cannot be consumed, but rather, its aroma and taste will have deteriorated, losing much of its drinking value.
Especially if the tea is significantly past its expiration date, like the five-year-old green tea mentioned at the beginning, it is not advisable to consume it, as the organic substances within have likely disappeared, rendering the tea devoid of any drinking significance.
It is important to note that regardless of whether the tea has expired, if it shows signs of mold or spoilage, it should not be consumed and should be discarded immediately.
In fact, no matter what type of tea it is, if improperly stored, leading to dampness and spoilage or the development of mold, such tea should not be consumed at all. This applies to all types of tea, especially those that have undergone moldy changes, which must be avoided under all circumstances.
Therefore, when drinking tea, it is essential to pay attention to proper storage. After use, seal the tea Bag tightly to prevent air exposure or dampness, avoiding spoilage. Consuming spoiled tea can be detrimental to health.
In addition to spoiled tea, there are other considerations to keep in mind when drinking tea, such as avoiding overly strong tea.
It is also important to avoid drinking tea that has been left overnight. Such tea, having been steeped for an extended period, undergoes oxidation of many of its components, and its nutritional value significantly decreases. Therefore, it is not recommended to drink tea that has been left overnight.