I'm sure many of us have found an "old" bag of tea at the back of the cupboard and wondered whether or not it's still drinkable?
If you answered yes then this article is for you!
The answer depends on what type of tea you have, whether or not it has any other ingredients added such as dried fruit or oils.
For example if you have a packet of just plain black tea such as Assam or Darjeeling, these teas can literally sit around for years if kept in a dark and dry place. However we would suggest not keeping it for more than two years, after that you could still try it but it most likely will have 0 flavour. The same will apply for a plain green tea such as Sencha or Gunpowder as well as white teas such as White Peony.
On the other hand if you have a flavoured tea such as an Earl Grey (black tea) or Jasmine (green tea), if stored properly they can last up to a year. The reason their expiry date is a lot shorter is due to these teas having added flavourings, herbs or spices.
Then we also have herbal infusions, where a similar principal applies. Plain herbal infusions such as Peppermint or Chamomile can last up to two years however when mixed with dried fruit we wouldn't recommend drinking it after 8 to 12 months as by then it would have lost most of their flavour.
Last but not least are the fruit infusions. These infusions lose their flavour the quickest so we would suggest drinking it between 6 to 12 months. Fruit teas usually have the longest ingredient lists. They often contain oils, sugars and nuts all these things combined really can make the tea taste unpleasant if left to sit for years.
SUMMARY / FAQ
- Can tea expire/ go bad?
While tea can technically expire for most teas a very long time needs to pass. Tea can definitely reduce in quality and flavour but still be safe to drink. Proper storage can easily help ensure that your tea stays fresh and tasteful for longer.
2. Can I drink tea that is past it's expiration date?
In most cases it is safe to drink tea which has gone past it's expiration date however the flavour and quality would have reduced significantly so we would suggest you discard of it especially if it has added ingredients.
We hope you found this information helpful and as always please do get in touch if you have any questions!